Warfarin counselling Flashcards
1
Q
Contraindications
A
- Pregnancy
- Significant risk of major bleeding
- Active bleeding
2
Q
How the treatment works
A
- Thins the blood to treat or prevent blood clots
- It does this by blocking vitamin K - the vitamin used by the body to make proteins that cause the blood to clot
3
Q
Treatment course and how its taken
A
- Once daily tablet (usually in the evening)
- Usually prescribed for 3 months for a DVT, 6 months for a PE, and lifelong for AF
- Dose changes take 2-3 days to take effect
4
Q
Monitoring required
A
- Started at 5mg each evening
- INR on days 3,4 and 5 - warfarin dosing charts tell you how to adjust the dose
- Then regular INR checks by anticoagulation clinic - regularity determined by INR stability (patient will be given anticoagulation book)
5
Q
Monitoring required
A
- Started at 5mg each evening
- INR on days 3,4 and 5 - warfarin dosing charts tell you how to adjust the dose
- Then regular INR checks by anticoagulation clinic - regularity determined by INR stability (patient will be given anticoagulation book)
6
Q
Side effects
A
- Bleeding - seek medical advice if you have significant head injury, prolonged nose bleeds, unusual headaches, blood in urine/stool/vomit, black stool, unexplained or severe bleeding
- Also diarrhoea, rash, hair loss, nausea
- Many interactions (mostly with P450 cytochrome inducers/inhibitors) - patients should avoid liver, spinach, cranberry juice, alcohol binges, NSAIDs/aspirin