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| Pronunciation |
|
 (WAR
far
in) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Coumadin® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Warfilone®
(Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Anticoagulant, Coumarin Derivative |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to warfarin or any other part of the medicine.
- If you are pregnant.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Bleeding disorder;
hemophilia; thrombocytopenia purpura; leukemia; recent surgery of the eye or
brain; major regional lumbar block anesthesia; surgery resulting in large, open
surfaces.
- If you also have any of these conditions: Bleeding; aneurysm;
malnutrition; polyarthritis; diverticulitis; bleeding into the brain; severe
high blood pressure; severe liver disease; pericarditis; endocarditis; visceral
cancer; history of warfarin-induced necrosis.
- If you are unreliable and you know that you will not take the medicine
as directed. Talk with healthcare provider.
- If you are a heavy alcohol drinker or binge drinker. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- If you have a history of falls or are very unsteady on your feet. Talk
with healthcare provider.
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to thin the blood so that clots will not form.
There are a variety of medical conditions where this is
needed.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Warfarin prevents the liver from producing the factors that
thicken/clot our blood.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach. Take at a similar time every day.
- Follow diet plan as recommended by healthcare provider. Keep vitamin K
intake constant. Talk with
nutritionist.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Wear drug medical alert identification.
- Limit alcohol intake (no more than 5 ounces of wine, 1 ounce of
liquor, or 12 ounces of beer/day).
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
- You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Use caution to prevent
injury and avoid falls or accidents.
- Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this
medicine.
- Avoid other blood thinners (aspirin, aspirin-containing products,
ibuprofen or like products, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo,
vitamin E) unless approved by healthcare provider.
- Avoid multivitamins, herbal products, dietary supplements
(Ensure® and like products) that contain additional
vitamin K .
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
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|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Bleeding problems. This includes nosebleeds, coughing up blood, blood
in the urine or stool, or bruising.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Prothrombin time/INR every 4-6 weeks once stable (more frequently
before that). Talk with healthcare provider.
- Watch for signs and symptoms of bleeding. If any, report them to
healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist every 6
months.
|
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache or backache. Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or
lightheadedness.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up
blood.
- Any falls or accidents especially if you hit your head (even if you
feel fine).
- Any change in skin color to a black or purple color.
- Any rash.
- Unusual bruising or
bleeding.
|
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a dry place at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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