warfarin

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1. Indication:

  • Myocardial infarction:Adjunct to reduce risk of systemic embolism (eg, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke) after myocardial infarction.
  • Thromboembolic complications: Prophylaxis and treatment of thromboembolic disorders

2. Instruction to use (How is this drug best taken)

  • Oral: Administer with or without food. Warfarin should be administered orally once a day at approximately the same time.
  • Encourage the patients to take their dose later in the day to facilitate implementation of needed dose changes identified at daytime monitoring visits

3. Drug-Drug Interaction:

Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

  • Co-enzyme Q10, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, goldenseal, or St John’s wort
  • Another blood thinners
  • Medicine to treat depression or anxiety,
  • Medicine to treat an infection
  • NSAID pain or arthritis medicine, including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofena, ibuprofen, indomethacin
  • Steroid medicines

4. Drug-Food Interaction

  • The anticoagulant effects of warfarin may be decreased if taken with foods rich in vitamin K.
  • Vitamin E may increase warfarin effect.
  • Cranberry juice may increase warfarin effect. Management: Maintain a consistent diet; consult prescriber before making changes in diet. Take warfarin at the same time each day

5. Side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, trouble breathing
  • Bleeding & bruising
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness
  • Purple toes or feet, or new pain in your leg, foot, or toes
  • Purplish red, net-like, blotchy spots on the skin
  • Red or dark brown urine, or red or black, tarry stools
  • Vomiting blood

6. Precautions

  • Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of bleeding problems, like bruising; black, tarry, or bloody stools; blood in the urine; coughing up blood; feel dizzy; feeling very tired
  • You will need to have your blood work (PT/INR) checked while you take this drug
  • Your diet and certain drugs may affect your PT/INR level. Talk with your doctor.
  • Avoid actions or sports that may raise the chance of injury or bleeding.