FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTONS

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Coumadin

What is COUMADIN?

Coumadin is an anticoagulant. Anti means against, and coagulant refers to blood clotting. An anticoagulant helps reduce clots from forming in the blood.

Why do I need Coumadin?

Your doctor wants you to take Coumadin because your body may make clots that you don't need. These clots can cause a serious medical problem. A clot can move to another part of your body. For example, if a clot moves to your brain, it can cause a stroke.

How important is Coumadin therapy?

Coumadin is one of the most important therapies available today. For people with the heart condition atrial fibrillation, chances of having a stroke go down 84% for women and 60% for men.

How does Coumadin work?

Coumadin lowers the body's ability to make blood clots. Coumadin may stop harmful clots from forming.

How much do I take?

Your doctor determines how much Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) you need to take (your dosage) by giving you blood tests. This blood test is called a prothrombin time test or protime for short. Your dosage may change, so make sure you take the right dose of Coumadin daily.

When do I take it?

Try to take your Coumadin at the same time every day. Take it exactly the way your Healthcare provider (your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) tells you.

Will my dose change?

Your dosage may change from time to time. So make sure you take the right dose (amount of Coumadin) on the right day, as your Healthcare provider tells you.

Why do I need blood tests?

To help your Healthcare provider establish the dosage of Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) you need. Your Healthcare provider will take a small amount of your blood to find out your prothrombin time, protime or PT for short. Protimes are often recorded as an INR (International Normalized Ratio), a standardized way of measuring protimes.

Protimes are very important. They help your Healthcare provider see how fast your blood is clotting and whether your dosage of Coumadin should change.

When will I have to take a protime test?

When you start taking Coumadin, you have protime tests every day for a few days, then perhaps one time every week. This will help your Healthcare provider give you the dosage of Coumadin that is right for you. Once your Healthcare provider decides on that dosage, you will probably need protime tests less often.

What things may change my protime test results?

Several things, such as sickness, diet, other medicines (prescription and over-the-counter), or physical activities may affect your PT/INR. Tell your Healthcare provider about changes in your health, medicines you are taking or your lifestyle so he or she can adjust your dosage of Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium), if needed.

What else should I do?

Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) has helped many people, but like all medicines, it may be harmful if not used right. Therefore, it is important that you follow your Healthcare provider's directions exactly.

There is a list of things you should do while taking Coumadin.

DO'S:

• Do take your Coumadin exactly as your Healthcare provider tells you.
  
• Do keep eating habits and activities similar every day.
  
• Do get your blood tested when you are supposed to. A calendar can help you remember.
  
• Do tell your Healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking (prescription and over-the-counter). Also, ask your Healthcare provider before you change, start, or stop taking any other medicines.
  
• Do tell your Healthcare provider when you get sick, get hurt, or get a cut that will not stop bleeding.
  
• Do look for signs of bleeding.
  
• Do tell anyone giving you medical or dental care that you are taking Coumadin.
  
• Do refill your prescriptions according to your Healthcare provider's orders.
  

What other things should I consider?

You may wish to wear a Medical Alert bracelet (Ask your Healthcare provider where you can get one). Or, carry a patient identification card.

What should I not do?

• Do not take an extra pill to catch up.
  
• Do not take Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) if you are pregnant.
  
• Do not take any other medicines before asking your Healthcare provider.
  

What should I avoid?

• Avoid drastic changes in your dietary habits.
  
• Avoid alcohol consumption.
  
• Avoid any activity or sport that may result in traumatic injury.
  

What if I cut myself, get a cut that will not stop bleeding, or have an injury?

Tell your Healthcare provider immediately. Your Healthcare provider will decide if you need to get a checkup.

What if I become pregnant?

Do not take Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) if you are or may become pregnant. This is very important because Coumadin should not be taken during pregnancy. Tell your Healthcare provider if you are or may become pregnant.

What if I forget to take a Coumadin pill?

DO NOT TAKE ANOTHER PILL TO "CATCH UP"! If you forget to take a pill, tell your Healthcare provider. Take the missed dose as soon as possible on the same day, but DO NOT take a double dose or Coumadin the next day to make up for the missed dose.

What if Coumadin therapy is stopped?

If your Healthcare provider stops your Coumadin therapy, the anticoagulant effects may last for about 2 to 5 days.

What if I want to take a trip while I take Coumadin?

You can take a trip, but tell your Healthcare provider before you go. You may need to take a protime test before you leave, or your Healthcare provider may arrange for you to have one while on your trip. Remember to keep your eating habits and activity level as close to your everyday routine as possible. Also, make sure to take enough Coumadin with you.

What if I want to participate in a sport or physical activity?

Ask your Healthcare provider first. Your Healthcare provider may want you to avoid any activity or sport that may result in a serious fall or other injury.

What if other things happen to my body that are not normal?

Call your Healthcare provider right away, because your dosage of Coumadin may need to be changed.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have:

• A serious fall or if you hit your head
  
• Bleeding that does not stop from cuts or from your nose.
  
• More bleeding than usual when you brush your teeth
  
• More bleeding than usual when you get your menstrual period or unexpected bleeding from the
  
• Unusual colored urine or stool when you go to the bathroom (including dark brown urine and red or black in your stool)
  
• Unusual bruising (black-and-blue marks on your skin) for unknown reasons
  
• A fever or sickness that gets worse
  
• Throwing up (vomiting), coughing or throwing up blood, loose or runny stools (diarrhea), or an infection
  
• Pain or swelling
  
• Headache, dizziness, trouble breathing, chest pain, or if you feel weak or more tired than usual
  

Why do I need to pay attention to my diet?

Because many foods you eat have vitamin K in them, and vitamin K helps your blood make clots.

In addition, you may want to avoid herbal teas that have tonka beans, melilot (sweet clover), or sweet woodruff in them.

Why should I stay on the same general diet every day?

Because large changes in the amount of vitamin K you eat may affect the way your Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) works. It is important for you to keep your diet steady (consistent) so the amount of vitamin K you eat is steady. Don't make major changes in your diet without telling your Healthcare provider. Also, tell your Healthcare provider if you change your diet because you are sick.

No, just keep your diet steady. Some foods that are important to a healthy diet are high in vitamin K, like leafy, green vegetables and some beans and peas.

There is little information about the effects of cooking, freezing or drying on the vitamin K content of foods. It appears that the vitamin K content of cooked, frozen or dried foods is about the same as fresh foods.

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Cardiology Associates of Fort Lauderdale, P.A.
4725 N. Federal Hwy, Suite #401
The Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Center
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
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