Warfarin Flashcards
What clotting factors are inhibited by warfarin
Factors 2,7,9,10 and protein C and S
Why is it important to consider the half life of these factors and proteins inhabited by warfarin
To know when steady state is reached
Compared with warfarin when is steady state reached with most drugs
3-5 day of warfarin 1/2 life and 3-5 days of clotting factor 1/2 life
Which clotting factor have the longest half life
Factor 2 (thrombin) - 60 hours
The initial effect of warfarin may be seen within how many days
2-7 days
When is steady state achieved with warfarin
10-14 days
For most patient what is the starting dose of warfarin
5 mg
Which patient group would have 2.5 mg as a starting dose
Frail and elderly
Malnourished and debilitated
Heart failure unstable
Severe liver disease
Post heart Value replacement
When should INR be monitored after initiation of Warfarin for outpatient
After the 3rd dose
After dose adjustment hour often should INR be monitoredfor outpatient
1-2 times weekly
For outpatient how often should a patient be monitored if patient INR is therapeutic or close to therapeutic or stable
Every 2 weeks
If therapeutic maintenance dose is achieved, how often should INR be monitored
Every 4 weeks
For most patient taking warfarin when is steady state achieved
After 2 weeks
How is warfarin dose adjusted?
Determine weekly warfarin dose
Adjusted weekly dose by 5-15%
When is exception to adjustment indicated
Very high or low INR or recent therapy initiation
