What are the precautions to be taken while taking warfarin (coumadin)?
- Filed under: Uncategorized
- Date: Sep 9,2008
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant used to prevent clotting in certain critical regions of the circulation. It has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that the range between the minimum effective dose and toxic dose is narrow. Hence treatment with warfarin has to be closely monitored. This done by checking the prothrombin time, a blood test at least once a month and adjusting the dose of warfarin accordingly. The prothrombin time is standardised to get an internationally normalised ratio known as INR. If the INR value of blood is high, there is a chance for major bleed and if it is low, there is a chance for clot formation in those who are predisposed to it. So the most important precaution is to monitor prothrombin time with INR determination regularly. Another important aspect is to look for evidence of bleeding, which may not be obvious if it is an occult blood loss through the bowels or a slow internal bleeding. A drop in hemoglobin or appearance of general pallor should alert one to this possibility. Individuals on warfarin should be careful about taking other drugs. Many drugs interact with warfarin, some enhancing its action while others decreasing its action. Warfarin in turn may also enhance / decrease the action of other drugs. Since warfarin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of Vitamin K dependent clotting factors, intake of food rich in Vitamin K will reduce the action of warfarin. Drugs like antibiotics which inhibit the growth of gut bacteria which synthesise Vitamin K can enhance the action of warfarin.
Related Pages
- Is there any interaction between amiodarone and warfarin?
- How does amiodarone work as an antiarrhythmic drug?
- Why is coronary artery disease less common in eskimos?
- Can a pacemaker prevent atrial fibrillation?
- Wide complex tachycardia
