Download (Coumadin®) brochure

Tab(s)
Tab(s)
Tab(s)
Tab(s)
Tab(s)
Tab(s)
Tab(s)
Sat
Fri
Thurs
Wed
Tues
Mon
Sun
INR:
mg tablets
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Date:
I will follow up with
Appointment date
Phone number
Notes
REV 7/12 J14849 DC14120
Understanding
Warfarin
(Coumadin®)
Key Questions
What is Warfarin?
1.Why am I taking warfarin (Coumadin®,
Jantoven®)?
Your doctor wants you to take the drug
warfarin. Warfarin is the generic name
for this drug. You may have also heard
it called Coumadin® or Jantoven®.
– T o keep from getting a blood clot
2.What do I need to do to take this
medication safely?
– T ake my medicine at the same time
each day
–W
atch for signs of bleeding
–M
ake sure everyone knows I am
taking the drug warfarin
– Keep an up-to-date medication list
– Keep my diet steady
– Have my blood tested regularly
3.Why is it important to take warfarin
safely?
– To
keep from getting a blood clot
and reduce side effects
Warfarin can help stop blood clots.
It can also keep clots from getting
larger. Sometimes blood clots form
on surfaces of blood vessels due to
damage to that blood vessel. Others
form in the heart due to damage in
the heart. When blood clots form, they
can break off and move to other parts
of your body such as your arms, legs,
lungs and even your brain. If a blood
clot blocks a blood vessel, it can stop
the flow of blood, damage tissue, and
can even cause death.
This brochure will tell you what
to expect when you take the drug
warfarin. If you have questions, ask
your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Watch the video “Warfarin and You”
online at bronsonhealth.com/warfarin
Side Effects
Warfarin has been used for more than 50
years. It is a safe drug and is well tolerated
by most people. However, some patients
do have side effects.
Common Side Effects
These are side effects that you may
experience. It is probably OK to keep
taking your medicine. If you are not sure
and something does not seem right, call
your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking Warfarin
Warfarin is a safe, yet powerful, drug.
Please be careful how you take it.
•Do not take more than the dose
prescribed by your doctor.
•Keep your pills at room temperature
and away from heat, moisture and
direct light.
•Take your dose at the same time each
day. It is helpful to make this part of
your daily routine.
•If you forget to take a dose, take it as
soon as you remember, unless it has
been more than 12 hours since your
usual dose time.
•Do not take a double dose of warfarin
the next day to make up for the
missed dose.
•If you forget a dose, write it down.
At your next visit, tell your doctor or
pharmacist about the missed dose.
•If you are not sure whether you
should take a dose, call your doctor or
pharmacist.
•Gum bleeding while brushing teeth
•More nosebleeds than usual
•Easy bruising
•Bleeding after a minor cut that stops
within a few minutes
•Menstrual bleeding that is a little heavier
Serious Side Effects
These side effects are very serious. If any of
these happen, call your doctor or pharmacist
right away.
•Red, dark, coffee or cola colored urine
•Bowel movements that are red or
look like tar
•Bleeding from the gums or nose that
does not stop quickly
•Vomit that is coffee-colored or bright red
•Anything red in color that you cough up
•Severe pain, such as a headache
•Sudden appearance of bruises for
no reason
•Menstrual bleeding that is much heavier
than normal
•A cut that will not stop bleeding within
10 minutes
•A serious fall or hit on the head
•Dizziness or weakness
Drug Interactions
Other drugs affect how warfarin works.
This means you may be at increased risk
for a blood clot or too much bleeding.
That is why it is so important to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all of your
medications, vitamins, herbal and dietary
supplements, and anything else you are
taking. They will help you decide what is
best for you.
Common drugs that interact with warfarin
include many over-the-counter pain
relievers, such as:
• acetaminophen (Tylenol®)
• aspirin and products that contain aspirin
(including ointments and Pepto-Bismol®)
• ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil® and Nuprin®
• naproxen (Aleve® and Orudis KT®)
Your Diet
Your doctor and pharmacist want you
to be healthy while taking warfarin. A
healthy diet rich in vitamins can help you
heal faster.
Be aware that foods that have a lot of
vitamin K can affect the way that warfarin
works. These include dark, leafy green
vegetables such as collard greens and
spinach. You do not have to avoid
these foods. Just make sure you are
eating the same amount of foods with
vitamin K from week to week.
For more information about the vitamin
K content of foods, ask your doctor or
pharmacist. You may also call Bronson
HealthAnswers at (269) 341-7723 or
toll-free (800) 451-6310 (online at
bronsonhealth.com).
Changes in your diet, health or
lifestyle can affect the way your body
reacts to warfarin. Let your doctor or
pharmacist know:
•if you have been sick
•if you have started or stopped any medicines,
including prescription and non-prescription
(over-the-counter) medicines, herbal or
dietary supplements, or vitamins
•if you have had a change in your diet or
activity level
Follow Up Care
Make sure all of your
Your doctor has prescribed a dose of
warfarin that is right for you. This amount
may change over time.
doctors, including your
To make sure you are getting the right
dose, you will need to have blood tests
on a regular basis. The test is called an
international normalized ratio (INR). The
INR shows how fast your blood clots.
are taking warfarin.
It is very important that you keep all your
appointments and follow the schedule
your doctor or pharmacist recommends.
At first, you will need to have your blood
tested often.
INR tests may be done at your doctor’s
office, lab or at an anticoagulation clinic.
Your dosing will be managed by your
doctor or pharmacist.
dentists, know that you
You may need to stop
using the medicine
before having surgery
or some medical tests.
Things to Remember
Resources:
•Take your dose at the same time
Bronson Anticoagulation Clinic
601 John Street
Medical Office Pavilion, M– 425
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 341-7909
each day. If you miss a dose, take it
as soon as you remember, unless it
has been more than 12 hours since
your usual dose time.
•Never double up doses if you
miss a dose.
•Call your doctor or pharmacist if
you notice any signs of bleeding
or illness.
•Remember to tell all your doctors,
including your dentists, that you
are taking warfarin.
•Tell your doctor and pharmacist
about all of your medicines,
vitamins, herbal and dietary
supplements.
•Try to keep your diet moderate
and consistent. Eat the same
amount of vitamin K each week.
•Go to your blood test
appointments.
Bronson Battle Creek Outpatient Pharmacy
Medical Office Building
363 Fremont Street
Battle Creek, MI 49017
(269) 245-8646
Bronson Outpatient Pharmacy
601 John Street
Medical Office Pavilion, 1st Floor
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 341-6990
Bronson Pharmacy Mattawan
52375 N. Main Street
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-6205
Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality (AHRQ)
“Your Guide to Coumadin®, Warfarin,
Therapy” www.ahrq.gov
Watch the video “Warfarin and You”
online at bronsonhealth.com/warfarin