• WARFARIN
• Coumadin Patient Education And Consent

 

 

WARFARIN (By mouth)
Warfarin (WAR-far-in)

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

• There are many other medicines, including nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines and herbal products, that you should not use while you are taking warfarin. Make sure your doctor knows about ALL other medicines you are using.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. This medicine works best when you eat about the same amount of vitamin K in your food every day. Avoid big changes in how much vitamin K you eat. Some foods that have a high amount of vitamin K are broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and green leafy vegetables such as spinach and salad greens.

• Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control to keep from getting pregnant. If you think you have become pregnant while using the medicine, tell your doctor right away.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are breastfeeding, or if you have a stomach ulcer, liver disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, or any other medical problems.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• You may bleed more easily while you are using this medicine. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
• Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet to let any emergency caregivers know that you are using warfarin.

• Bleeding from your gums or nose, bruising easily, coughing up blood
• Blood in your urine or stools
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
• Fever, chills, sore throat, cough
• Heavy menstrual bleeding, or bleeding from cuts or wounds that does not stop
• Purple discoloration of your toes or the soles of your feet
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Yellow skin or eyes

• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Stomach pain or cramping

 

 

 

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• We adjust Coumadin to you. We do not adjust your diet to Coumadin.

• a. Always get your INR (Coumadin levels) before 9:00 a.m. when ordered by us.
     b. Take all Coumadin at approximately 6:00 p.m.
     c. Unless you hear from us or your physician to change your dose, always
         continue to take your Coumadin as directed before.

• Take all medicine as ordered by your physicians. Remind them you are on Coumadin if put on any new medicines.

• Do not take any NSAIDs ? aspirin, Advil, Aleve, Naproxen, Motrin, Celebrex, etc., without notifying your doctors.

• Tell us if you get an INR and are taking any new medicines, especially antibiotics or amiodarone.

• The INR (aka QPT) is the effective Coumadin level in your body. Our goal is 2.0-3.0 unless you have a heart valve or other goal requested by your physician.

• We only use 5 mg. tablets of Coumadin for your safety.

• Call 911 or your physician immediately for dizziness, weakness, bleeding, or easy bruisability. Your Coumadin level may be too high.

• “Call us between 3:00-5:00 pm. on the day after” your Coumadin level (INR) is checked, if you do not hear from us.

 

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