About warfarin

Warfarin tablets are supplied in different strengths.

Each tablet has a line down the middle where it
can be cut in half. Each manufacturer makes
the same strength pills with the same color. If
you have trouble seeing or seeing
colors, let your healthcare provider know, so
that he can decide
how best to
help you. Each
manufacturer
makes the pill in
a different shape.
If you refill your
tablets and are given a different brand, let your healthcare
provider know. All brands are
not the same, and your INR may
change if the strength is not the
same as your first brand of warfarin.
You may be told to go to a lab to have
your blood drawn or have a finger-stick to check
your INR, or you may be referred to an anticoagulation clinic (ACC). If you go to a lab,
they will
give the results to your healthcare provider who
will then let you know about the need to increase
or decrease your dose and when to get your blood
checked again. INRs should be checked often until
stable, then every 4 weeks.
There are many things that can affect your
INR. Because warfarin works against vitamin K, you
should try to keep your daily intake of vitamin K
consistent. Foods high in vitamin K include Swiss
chard, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and spinach.
Green tea is also a source of vitamin K.
Warfarin (the brand name is Coumadin) is an anticoagulant or “blood thinner.” Your
healthcare
provider has decided that warfarin will help lower
your risk of a new or recurrent stroke caused by a
heart attack or a clot in your lungs or legs. Even
if you have never had any of these problems, you
still may be at risk. Certain problems like a tendency to form clots, an irregular heart
rhythm
(atrial fibrillation), or a heart valve replaced
with a mechanical valve will increase your risk
of forming clots. Depending on your diagnosis,
you may take warfarin for a short time or for
the rest of your life. If you are not sure why, or
for how long you will
be taking warfarin,
ask your healthcare
provider.
Your healthcare
provider will explain
your medication dosage
and the blood tests that
are needed when you are
taking warfarin.
GuidetoCare
for patients
Warfarin therapy
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Did you know?
Certain drinks can increase the effect of
warfarin and cause increased bleeding. Try
to avoid cranberry
juice and alcohol in
particular.warfarin, but when the INR is kept in the correct
range, there is less chance of bleeding.
Increased risks for bleeding include:
• age 65 years or older
• history of a stroke
• history of an ulcer
• history of stomach bleeding
• kidney disease
• anemia
• low-platelet count
• liver disease
• diabetes
• use of aspirin or other medications that also
thin the blood.
Women are at higher risk than men to develop
bleeding. Alcohol or drug abuse are also risk
factors.
If you have any of the following symptoms of
bleeding, call your healthcare provider immediately
for instructions on how to treat the bleeding and
have your INR rechecked to see if it is too high:
• A nosebleed is the most common type of bleeding while on warfarin. A nosebleed that
starts
spontaneously or does not stop soon may be a
sign that your INR is too high.
• Bruising that happens suddenly or is large may
also be a sign that your INR is too high.
• Any blood in vomit, diarrhea, stool, or dark
or tarry stools is a sign of bleeding from the
gastrointestinal tract.
• Call emergency services if you are not
sure how serious your
symptoms are.
Your blood needs to be checked to see if your
“International Normalized Ratio” (INR) is normal
for your diagnosis. The most common range is 2
to 3, but sometimes the range needs to be 2.5
to 3.5. For someone not taking warfarin, a normal
INR is about 1.
Stroke symptoms
If your INR is too low, you are at risk of forming
clots. You should know
the symptoms of a
stroke, a heart attack, and a clot in the lung or
leg. If any of these symptoms occur, call for
emergency assistance and then call your healthcare provider. Symptoms of a stroke may
include:
• headache
• confusion
• weakness
• numbness
• speech problems.
Heart attack symptoms may include:
• pain in the chest, neck, jaw, back, shoulders,
abdomen, or arms
• shortness of breath
• nausea
• vomiting
• sweating.
A clot in your lung may cause:
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• fainting
• fever
• sweating
• cough and bloody sputum.
Symptoms of a clot in your leg may include
pain and swelling.
Bleeding risks
If your INR is too high, you are at risk for bleeding. Bleeding is the most common
problem with
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Did you know?
It is important to talk
to your healthcare
provider about wearing
a medical alert bracelet
or necklace stating that
you are taking warfarin.
Fast fact
You can take some steps
to try to reduce your
risk of blood clots:
• Get treatment for conditions like diabetes
or heart disease
• Quit smoking
• Lose weight
• Stay active