Are You on a Blood Thinner? What You Need to Know

What is Coumadin?
Coumadin is an anti-coagulant medicine. It is used to lower the chance of blood clots forming in your body. Blood clots can cause stroke, heart attacks or other serious conditions or could settle in the legs or lungs.

How Does Coumadin Work?
Usually the liver produces clotting factors that help the blood clot and prevent bleeding. Some blood clots can cause serious problems. Coumadin blocks the formation of clotting factors in the liver, thus preventing the formation of blood clots.

Who Should Take Coumadin?
Patients who are at an increased risk for developing blood clots. For example patients with arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, new heart valves (either tissue or mechanical) or those at increased risk for stroke. Your Physician will decide if you need to be treated with Coumadin.

Who Should NOT Take Coumadin?
1. Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Coumadin can cause death or birth defects to an unborn baby.
2. People allergic to warfarin or anything else in Coumadin.
3. You should not take Coumadin if your chance of having bleeding problems is higher than the possible benefit of the treatment. Your Physician will decide if this medication is right for you, your will need a prescription for this drug.

What is the Most Important Thing to Know About Coumadin?
1. Take the medication exactly as ordered by your Physician.
2. Get lab work done when it's ordered. It's important to maintain the correct dose of this medication.

Symptoms of Bleeding Problems You Should Contact Your Health Professional About.
1. Pain, swelling, discomfort in leg or calf.
2. Headaches, dizziness or weakness.
3. Unusual bruising on arms or legs of unknown origin.
4. Nosebleeds
5. Bleeding Gums
6. Bleeding with a cut and having a difficult time getting it to stop bleeding.
7. Pink or brown urine.
8. Red or black stool
9. Coughing up blood.
10. Vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Interventions to Help Decrease Complications While Taking Coumadin
1. Avoid other medications unless consulting your doctor first.
2. Eat a normal balanced diet but avoid foods high in potassium. Leafy green vegetables contain large amounts of Vitamin K. Too much Vitamin K can lower the effect of Coumadin.
3. Avoid alcohol and cranberry juice.
4. Carry information or wear a Medical Alert Bracelet that tells medical professionals that you are on a blood thinner.
5. Have your blood checked as directed by your physician. The blood test is called a Prothrombin Time and International Normalized Ratio or PT/INR. These tests show how quickly your blood clots abd whether you're getting enough or too much Coumadin.
6. Use an electric razor instead of a straight razor.
7. Use a soft toothbrush and brush and floss gently.

What Should I Do if I Have Complications?
1. If you get cut, it may take longer to get the bleeding stopped. If your cut is small, apply constant pressure until the bleeding stops. If it doesn't stop, keep applying pressure and report to the emergency room or local clinic if available.
2. If your cut is large, apply constant pressure and get help immediately.

So if you're taking Coumadin, you will need to be under a doctor's close supervision. Follow his or her instructions closely and report any problems immediately.