Patient Education

Using Warfarin Safely At Home

PTINR.com Staff

Patient Education in an easy to print format.

What is warfarin (Coumadin ®)?

  • Warfarin is an anticoagulant  (anti = against, coagulant = clotting)
  • Warfarin is strong medicine that slows your body’s ability to form a blood clot
  • Some people call warfarin a "blood thinner” 
  • Warfarin is also known as CoumadinÒ, CoumadinÒ is the brand name for warfarin
  • Generic warfarin is made by several different companies – take only as prescribed

How do I take warfarin?

  • Take your warfarin only as directed by your doctor or pharmacist
  • Try to take your warfarin at the same time everyday
  • Do not take more than prescribed as it could cause bleeding 

Why do I need my blood tested?

  • Blood tests called INRs tell your doctor just how much medicine is working
  • Blood tests will be needed for as long as you are on warfarin
  • Other medications and food will change the results of your INR frequently
  • The doctor will try to get your INR in a “target range”

What is an INR?

  • The INR is the name given to the results of your blood test
  • The INR will be a number like:  1.7   or   2.0   or   2.6   or   3.8   or   5.8
  • The higher the number, the longer it will take your blood to clot
  • Your doctor will tell you where your INR needs to be
  • An INR “target range” will be made for you
  • An INR too high increases your chances of bleeding
  • An INR too low does not protect you from bad blood clots that might form

Is my diet important?

  • Consistency in your diet and steady portion sizes is most important
  • Many foods can change your INR
  • Vitamin K is an important vitamin to learn about
  • Vitamin K slows or can stop warfarin from doing its job
  • Vitamin K is found in leafy green vegetables and other foods and teas
  • Ask your health care professional team if you are unsure of a certain food type 

What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Warfarin is a strong medicine that lasts for days, check with your doctor’s office if you miss a dose – if it is only a few hours it is likely you will take it as soon as you remember
  • Don’t panic, missing a dose is not life-threatening but getting back on schedule is important
  • Never take an extra warfarin tablet to catch up unless instructed by your doctor or nurse

What are signs of trouble?

  • Bleeding gums, blood in your urine, black or tarry stools are signs of too much warfarin
  • Unusual or excessive bruising is a sign of too much warfarin
  • A high INR, well outside your target range places you at risk of bleeding

What else do I need to know?

  • Report to all your blood test appointments and office visits
  • Check before starting or stopping ANY vitamins or nutritional drinks
  • Report any fevers, bad colds or flu as this will affect your INR
  • Report any bumps, bruises or cuts as warfarin will make it bleed longer
  • Many over-the-counter medicines can affect your INR – including stomach medicines, calcium supplements and cold & flu medicines to name just a few
  • Keep your doctor’s office phone number with you and by the phone

Do’s

  • Talk to your office about any concerns or questions regarding your warfarin %
  • Remain consistent in your diet and portion sizes of fruits and vegetables
  • Talk to your doctor or nurse before starting or stopping any medicine
  • Wear gardening gloves and closed toe footwear when working outside
  • Place knives and forks point down in the dishwasher
  • Consider a life-line pendant if you live alone
  • Consider a bracelet that lets emergency personnel know you are on CoumadinÒ
  • Clear stairways of books, papers, shoes or other clutter
  • Use nightlights to illuminate walkways to bathrooms
  • Use handrails and contact tape on all tubs and showers
  • Use soft bristled tooth brushes
  • Use pillboxes, it is very easy to forget if you took your tablet or not
  • Use electric razors for shaving
  • If you test at home weekly, call in your INR as instructed

Don’ts

  • Don’t run out of medicine
  • Don’t miss lab appointments or doctor’s visits
  • Don’t reach in or push the garbage down
  • Don’t binge on any fruit or vegetable
  • Don’t drink excessive alcohol with warfarin
  • Don’t reach into soapy water in the sink where silverware and dishes soak 
  • Don’t wear footwear that is wet on hardwood or linoleum floors
  • Don’t guess whether you took your warfarin, make sure you don’t double up
  • Don’t forget changes in dose or diet takes days to change your INR

CoumadinÒ is a registered trademark of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

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