Understanding Anticoagulant Medications

Summary

This video explains risks of blood clots and situations in which warfarin (Coumadin) may be prescribed. Medication guidelines are provided including compliance, dietary considerations, and injury prevention.

Details

Anticoagulants (blood thinners) help control the way your blood clots to prevent clots from forming or moving through your arteries, veins and heart.

How blood clots:

• proteins, platelets and other cells in bloods combine to form clots
• normally when a blood vessel is cut a clot automatically begins to form
• unwanted and possibly dangerous clots may form inside blood vessels
• causes of unwanted clotting: arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), slow or sluggish blood flow

Clots in heart cause heart attack.

Clots in veins may travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolii) or the brain (stroke).

Warfarin (Coumadin):

• prescribed for increased risk of blood clots
• inactive or on bed rest
• had small strokes
• certain types of heart disease
• after certain surgeries

Warfarin can:

• prevent new clots from forming
• keep unwanted clots from enlarging
• prevent pieces of a clot from breaking off and traveling through the body
• will not dissolve existing clots

Dose adjusted according to results of pro-thrombin time (or INR) blood test. This test should be repeated regularly while you are taking Warfarin (Coumadin).

Guidelines for taking Warfarin (Coumadin):

• take exactly as prescribed
• take at the same time each day
• if you forget your dose within 6 hours of scheduled time, then take it anyway and return to your regular schedule the next day
• do not take a double dose
• if you forget for two days in a row, contact your doctor
• store at room temperature
• avoid binge eating and crash diets
• limit foods high in Vitamin K
• discuss alcohol use with your doctor
• tell all your doctors and dentists that you are taking an anti-coagulant. You may need to stop it for a few days before certain procedures
• be careful when using a razor
• women who may become pregnant should discuss risks with their doctor
• choose activities where risk of injury is minimal and notify your doctor before starting exercise program
• if you cut yourself, apply constant pressure until the bleeding stops (up to ten minutes)
• if can't stop bleeding, continue to apply pressure and go to the emergency rooom
• wear or carry medical ID
• tell doctor about all prescription and OTC drugs you take, and any vitamin preparations
• do not stop taking your medication without talking to your doctor

Signs of abnormal bleeding:

• bleeding from your nose, gums or ears
• vomiting or coughing up blood
• cuts don't stop bleeding after pressure is applied
• bruises that become swollen or appear without reason
• urine that looks red or rusty
• red, black or tarry bowel movements
• unusual hemmorhoid bleeding
• heavier than normal menstrual bleeding
• pain, swelling or discomfort in the stomach, abdomen or joints
• feeling tired or looking pale