Coumadin
Coumadin
Lately I’ve taken note of several patients with questions regarding their Coumadin® therapy. While Coumadin® is a very beneficial drug in that it prevents and treats clots and can lower the risk of further complications in post heart attack and stroke patients, its use should not be taken lightly. Coumadin® is a serious drug and patients should be properly educated about the potential risks. Below is a list of do’s and don’ts to consider while on Coumadin® therapy. These lists are not comprehensive and should be juxtaposed with the specific instructions you were given from your healthcare provider.
Do:
1) Take your Coumadin® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you, and at the same time everyday.
2) Maintain consistent eating and activity habits every day.
3) Keep routine appointments for blood work.
4) Tell your healthcare provider when you get sick, get hurt, or get a cut that won’t stop bleeding.
5) Look for signs of bleeding.
6) Tell anyone providing you medical or dental care that you are taking Coumadin®.
7) Refill your prescriptions according to your healthcare provider’s orders.
8) Check your Rx bottle for remaining refills well in advance of the last tablet.
Do Not:
1) Do NOT take an extra tablet to catch up, in the event that you miss a dose. Do not double your dose to make up for a missed dose.
2) Do NOT take Coumadin® if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
3) Do NOT take any other medications before contacting your healthcare provider.
Avoid:
1) Drastic changes in dietary habits.
2) Alcoholic consumption.
Again, careful attention to diet is very important in Coumadin® therapy. Many foods contain vitamin K, which helps the blood make clots. Maintaining a consistent diet is critical because large changes in the amount of vitamin K a person eats may affect the way Coumadin® works. Vitamin K can be found in green, leafy vegetables, some herbal teas containing Tonka beans, sweet clover, or sweet woodruff. Vitamin K can also be found in food containing fat substitutes such as Olestra.
At the Seven Lakes Prescription Shoppe we encourage patients with questions or concerns about Coumadin® therapy or any drug therapies to seek our advice. We appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions and aid in your healthcare. We look forward to continuing to serve you.
There are alternatives to Coumadin® therapy, for more information, please contact me at waters.trey@gmail.com.
Trey Waters, Pharm.D., RPh
www.askdocwaters.com
Lately I’ve taken note of several patients with questions regarding their Coumadin® therapy. While Coumadin® is a very beneficial drug in that it prevents and treats clots and can lower the risk of further complications in post heart attack and stroke patients, its use should not be taken lightly. Coumadin® is a serious drug and patients should be properly educated about the potential risks. Below is a list of do’s and don’ts to consider while on Coumadin® therapy. These lists are not comprehensive and should be juxtaposed with the specific instructions you were given from your healthcare provider.
Do:
1) Take your Coumadin® exactly as your healthcare provider tells you, and at the same time everyday.
2) Maintain consistent eating and activity habits every day.
3) Keep routine appointments for blood work.
4) Tell your healthcare provider when you get sick, get hurt, or get a cut that won’t stop bleeding.
5) Look for signs of bleeding.
6) Tell anyone providing you medical or dental care that you are taking Coumadin®.
7) Refill your prescriptions according to your healthcare provider’s orders.
8) Check your Rx bottle for remaining refills well in advance of the last tablet.
Do Not:
1) Do NOT take an extra tablet to catch up, in the event that you miss a dose. Do not double your dose to make up for a missed dose.
2) Do NOT take Coumadin® if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
3) Do NOT take any other medications before contacting your healthcare provider.
Avoid:
1) Drastic changes in dietary habits.
2) Alcoholic consumption.
Again, careful attention to diet is very important in Coumadin® therapy. Many foods contain vitamin K, which helps the blood make clots. Maintaining a consistent diet is critical because large changes in the amount of vitamin K a person eats may affect the way Coumadin® works. Vitamin K can be found in green, leafy vegetables, some herbal teas containing Tonka beans, sweet clover, or sweet woodruff. Vitamin K can also be found in food containing fat substitutes such as Olestra.
At the Seven Lakes Prescription Shoppe we encourage patients with questions or concerns about Coumadin® therapy or any drug therapies to seek our advice. We appreciate the opportunity to answer your questions and aid in your healthcare. We look forward to continuing to serve you.
There are alternatives to Coumadin® therapy, for more information, please contact me at waters.trey@gmail.com.
Trey Waters, Pharm.D., RPh
www.askdocwaters.com
