When taking warfarin you can perform all your normal daily activities but you are at risk of excess bleeding if you are injured. These include contact sports such as football, rugby, boxing as well as other activities where there is a risk of severe knocks, bumps or bruises. You should also be aware of the risk of falls and take steps to minimise your risk. Falls may lead to significant head injury and increased risk of bleeding into or around your brain. Remember, you might not see any visible signs of bleeding from an internal injury.
Tell your doctor about any:. Remember to clean and treat minor cuts and scrapes immediately. Tell your doctor about any bleeding that is hard to stop or if pain and swelling develops. If you have an accident or become very ill, ambulance and hospital staff need to know that you take warfarin. It is also a good idea to carry an up-to-date-list of all your medicines. Patients on long term warfarin should consider joining MedicAlert external site. Your doctor can help you do this.
Joining MedicAlert involves providing personal details and medical history about your warfarin therapy. This vital patient information can then be accessed by medical and emergency workers during emergencies. Monitoring and Dosing Tips The goal of warfarin therapy is to decrease the clotting tendency of blood, not to prevent clotting completely. Difference Between Brand-Name and Generic Medications Generic drugs are supposed to have the same dosage, therapeutic effects, route of administration, side effects, and strength as the original drug.
Warfarin must be taken exactly as prescribed. Signs of unusual bleeding include: bleeding from the gums, blood in the urine, bloody or dark stool, a nosebleed, or vomiting blood. When to Call Your Healthcare Provider If you experience the following signs of bleeding, you should call or your healthcare provider immediately: Severe headache, confusion, weakness or numbness Coughing up large amounts of bright red blood Vomiting blood Bleeding that will not stop Bright red blood in stool Fall or injury to the head Headache that is severe or unusual Some simple changes to decrease the risk of bleeding while taking warfarin include the following: Use a soft-bristle toothbrush Floss with waxed floss rather than unwaxed floss Shave with an electric razor rather than a blade Take care when using sharp objects, such as knives and scissors Avoid activities that have a risk of falling or injury e.
Pregnancy Warfarin is not recommended during pregnancy. Travel Check with your healthcare provider if you expect to travel. Never double a dose because you missed a dose. Do tell your healthcare provider when you get sick or hurt.
Do take warfarin exactly as prescribed. Do tell anyone giving you medical or dental care that you are taking warfarin. Do keep appointments for blood tests. Warfarin Interacts With Other Medications Patients who take warfarin should consult with their healthcare provider before taking any new medication, including over-the-counter nonprescription drugs, herbal medicines, vitamins or any other products.
Patients undergoing warfarin therapy should avoid drinking alcohol on a daily basis. Alcohol should be limited to no more than 1 to 2 servings of alcohol occasionally.
This means an average of one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. A drink is one 12 oz. The antiplatelet effect of alcohol increases the risk of major bleeding, even if the INR remains within the target range.
Foods - Some foods can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin. The most important point to remember is to eat what you normally eat and not to make any major changes in your diet without contacting your healthcare provider. Vitamin K - Eating an increased amount of foods rich in vitamin K can lower the PT and INR, making warfarin less effective and potentially increasing the risk of blood clots.
Patients who take warfarin should aim to eat a relatively similar amount of vitamin K each week. The highest amount of vitamin K is found in green and leafy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, and spinach. Learn more about under-the-skin pacemaker implantation in women.
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But how do you know if your heart rate is in the dangerous category? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Warfarin, Oral Tablet. Important warnings About Side effects Interactions Other warnings Dosage Take as directed Important considerations Alternatives Highlights for warfarin Warfarin oral tablet is available as both a generic and brand-name drug.
Brand name: Coumadin, Jantoven. Warfarin comes only as a tablet you take by mouth. Warfarin is used to treat and prevent blood clots that might result in heart attack, stroke, or death.
Important warnings. What is warfarin? Warfarin side effects. Warfarin may interact with other medications. Warfarin warnings. How to take warfarin. Take as directed. Important considerations for taking warfarin. Are there any alternatives? Understanding Sinus Rhythm. When Is Arrhythmia Deadly? Read this next. Ketoconazole, Oral Tablet. Medically reviewed by Femi Aremu, PharmD. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Payal Kohli, M. Warfarin and other VKAs: Dosing and adverse effects. Accessed May 11, Jameson JL, et al. Antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and fibrinolytic drugs. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. The McGraw-Hill Companies; A patient's guide to taking warfarin. American Heart Association. Blood thinner pills: Your guide to using them safely. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Garcia DA, et al. Risks and prevention of bleeding with oral anticoagulants.
Leite PM, et al. Review on mechanisms and interactions in concomitant use of herbs and warfarin therapy. Vitamin K. Johnson JA, et al. Zeratsky KA expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. May 12, Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.
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