Guide to Warfarin Treatment
Warfarin belongs to a class of medications called anticoagulants (“anti-clottingmedicines”).
Warfarin keeps blood clots from forming or getting larger.
Many medications can change the way warfarin works. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using any other medication, including over-the counter medications, vitamins and herbal products.
One Page Guide to Warfarin Treatment*
1. Warfarin belongs to a class of medications called anticoagulants (“anti-clotting
medicines”). Warfarin keeps blood clots from forming or getting larger.
2. Many medications can change the way warfarin works. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
about using any other medication, including over-the counter medications, vitamins
and herbal products.
3. Make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows if you are taking aspirin or aspirin-like
medications, such as medications for pain relief and the common cold.
4. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol.
5. Certain foods will change the way warfarin works. Do not change your diet while
taking warfarin. Foods that contain vitamin K (such as lettuce, spinach, broccoli,
cabbage, cauliflower or liver) decrease the anti-clotting effect of warfarin. If you eat
foods that have vitamin K, do not change the amount of these foods that you
normally eat per week. The main point regarding diet is to eat a consistent amount of
foods per week that contain vitamin K.
6. It is very important to have regular blood tests while taking warfarin. The test is called
an INR, and it measures how fast your blood clots compared to normal.
7. You should carry an identification card that shows you are taking warfarin.
8. Make sure your doctor, dentist, or other health care provider knows you are taking
warfarin before you have any surgery or dental work.
9. You should report the following to your doctor immediately:
• Bleeding from the gums or nose.
• Coughing up blood.
• Red or black bowel motions.
• Red or dark-brown coloured urine.
• Unusually heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Any bleeding from cuts or wounds that does not stop.
• Easy bruising.
• Severe headache.
10. If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If you do not
remember until the next day, skip the missed dose. Only take your usual dose for the
day. You should not take two doses at the same time.
*Adapted from the institute for clinical systems improvement (www.icsi.org)
This information has been downloaded from http://www.anticoagulation.com.au