Warfarin Flashcards
How does warfarin work in patient friendly terms?
Warfarin is a type of medicine known as an anticoagulant. It helps to thin the blood, making it less likely that a dangerous blood clot could form
explain INR in simple terms
The INR is a measure of how long it takes blood to clot. In healthy people an INR of 1 is normal. Since you are at a higher risk for blood clots we want your blood to be thinner than normal and therefore take longer to clot. As a result, the target range for your INR would be between 2-3, meaning it takes two to three times as long for your blood to clot compared to someone not taking warfarin
How to take warfarin ?
“Warfarin should be taken at the same time each day to keep the levels of warfarin steady.”
“Tablets have different colours depending on their strength (e.g. 0.5mg white; 1mg brown; 3mg blue; 5mg pink).”
“If you forget to take a dose you should take it as soon as you remember, but if you don’t remember till the following day you should skip the missed dose. You should never take two doses together to make up for a missed dose and you should inform your doctor or warfarin clinic about any missed doses at your next appointment.”
“Whenever you are going to purchase or be prescribed a new medication you should let the doctor or pharmacist know that you take warfarin so they can avoid prescribing medications which alter your warfarin level.”
“When you start taking a new medication you should let your doctor or anticoagulant clinic know so that they can consider if your warfarin levels need monitoring more frequently.”
“You should continue to take your warfarin tablets regularly until you have been told to stop.”
“Warfarin is not safe to be used during pregnancy and therefore you should have an effective contraceptive method in place before you start taking warfarin.”
What are the common side effects of warfarin?
The main side effect of warfarin involves bleeding more easily than normal (e.g. epistaxis, bleeding gums, heavier periods, bruising). These side effects most commonly occur in the first few weeks of treatment or when the patient is unwell.
- a mild rash
- hair loss
less serious bleeding:
- periods that are heavier and last longer than normal
- bleeding for a little longer than usual if you cut yourself
- occasional nosebleeds (that last for less than 10 minutes)
- bleeding from your gums when you brush your teeth
- bruises that come up more easily and take longer to fade than usual
More serious bleeding:
- red pee or black poo
- large bruises or bruises that happen for no reason
- nosebleeds that last longer than 10 minutes
- blood in your vomit or you’re coughing up blood
- severe headaches, fits (seizures), changes to your eyesight, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs, or feel very tired, weak or sick – these can be signs of bleeding in your brain
- any bleeding from a cut or injury that will not stop or slow down”
What diet advise should be given to people taking warfarin?
Drastic changes in diet, especially an increase in consumption of foods high in vitamin K (such as broccoli, kale, or spinach) can potentially affect control of anticoagulation. If the patient ever wishes to significantly change their diet
Patients should limit their alcohol intake to a maximum of one or two drinks a day and never binge drink. If there are major changes in alcohol consumption (e.g. the patient stops drinking, or starts drinking more) the INR can be affected.
What information should be given to the patient regarding booklets and alert cards ?
At the start of treatment, all patients should be provided with two yellow anticoagulant booklets, an INR monitoring booklet and a patient information booklet. Patients should also be provided with an anticoagulant alert card.
Patients should be advised to always carry the anticoagulant alert card with them in case of an emergency and always take the yellow INR monitoring book with them to each appointment at the anticoagulant clinic and if possible to other appointments (e.g. GP, pharmacy reviews, dental appointments etc).
