Warfarin Patient Education

Vitamin K in diet:

Avoid overeating foods high in vitamin K like green leafy vegetables. You don't have to avoid ALL foods; the key is to keep your dietary intake of vitamin K containing foods steady each day. Big changes in your normal diet can cause problems.

Instructions:

10-15 min instructional video and patient booklet; suggest wearing a medical alert bracelet and/or carry a warfarin wallet card.

Pill color/ dose:

Always double check you refills from the pharmacy to make sure they are the same color each time and the same dose. If different, ask before taking, them

OTC and Herbal use:

DO NOT use aspirin or other NSAIDs. Check labels of all OTC products carefully before use. Many cough and cold products contain aspirin and/or NSAIDs. DO NOT use other blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E, or other herbals without talking to your doctor first. Over 60 herbal therapies have anti platelet effects or may interact with warfarin in other ways. DO NOT start any herbal therapy without talking to your prescriber or pharmacist.

Alcohol:

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.

Smoking:

If you stop smoking, talk to your doctor. The dose may need to be changed.

Monitoring:

It is very important to have the PT/INR checked to monitor safety and adjust dosages. Doses of your medication can occasionally change.

Health care providers:

Make sure ALL of your health care providers know you take this medicine. Tell anyone who prescribes you medicines including all of your doctors, dentists, and pharmacists.

What are some signs and symptoms of bleeding?

Report any of the following s/sx of bleeding: blood in urine or stools, black/tarry looking stools, bloody nose, excessive bruising, bleeding gums, or cuts that will not stop bleeding.

What are some signs and symptoms of blood clots?

Report any of the following: shortness of breath, chest pain, pain in arm or jaw, swelling in legs (warmth, numbness, color change, pain), change in strength on one side greater than the other, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, blurred eyesight, very bad dizziness or passing out, or very bad headache.

Time:

Take medication at the same time each day to help you remember to take it.

Missed doses:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. DO NOT take two doses at the same time or extra doses. If you miss a dose, write it down and tell your prescriber at the next INR check.

What is this drug used for?

This medicine is used to treat and prevent blood clots. it is used to lower the chance of blood clots that cause health problems like heart attack and stroke.

Safety:

This medicine may cause you to bleed more than usual. Be careful to avoid injury or falls or cuts. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.

Child-bearing women/ breast feeding:

You should NOT become pregnant while taking this medicine. Use a birth control you can trust. If you get pregnant while taking this medicine, call your doctor right away. If you wish to become pregnant, discuss this with your doctor first. Tell your doctor if you are breast feeding.