![]() ![]() have heavy or increased bleeding during your period, or any other bleeding from your vagina (in women).cough up blood or have blood in your vomit.have long nosebleeds – lasting more than 10 minutes.You should therefore seek medical attention if you: You're at greatest risk of bleeding in the first few weeks of starting treatment with warfarin and when you're unwell. people with a bleeding disorder – such as haemophiliaīleeding is the main side effect associated with warfarin, as it slows down the blood's normal clotting ability.people with a high risk of internal bleeding – for example, those with a stomach ulcer.people with uncontrolled high blood pressure (severe hypertension).pregnant women – it can affect the development of the baby.The following people shouldn't take warfarin: If midnight has passed, leave that dose and take your normal dose the next day at the usual time.Īsk your GP or staff at your local anticoagulant clinic if you're not sure what to do about a missed dose of warfarin. You can also call NHS 24 111 service for advice. If you forget to take your dose of warfarin in the evening but remember before midnight on the same day, take the missed dose. However, if it's time to take your next dose, don't take a double dose to catch up, unless your GP has specifically advised you to. If you usually take warfarin in the morning and forget to take it at your normal time, take it as soon as you remember and continue as normal. Ask the healthcare professional responsible for your care if you're not sure. How long you'll need to take warfarin for will depend on the condition for which it's been prescribed. When you start taking warfarin, you may be given a yellow booklet about anticoagulants, which explains your treatment. The longer it takes your blood to clot, the higher your INR. Your INR will be used to determine the dose of warfarin you need to take.Īlthough there are now 3 new anticoagulants that don't require regular monitoring – rivaroxaban, apixaban and dabigatran – most people who need an anticoagulant will be prescribed warfarin. The international normalised ratio (INR) is a measure of how long it takes your blood to clot. You'll have regular blood tests at your GP surgery or local anticoagulant clinic to make sure your dose is correct. The aim of warfarin therapy is to decrease the blood's tendency to clot, but not stop it clotting completely. This means the dose of warfarin you're taking must be carefully monitored and, if necessary, adjusted. It's important to take your dose at the same time each day, before, during or after a meal. Warfarin is taken once a day, usually in the evening. Don't increase your prescribed dose unless the doctor in charge of your care advises you to. It's very important that you take warfarin exactly as directed. an increased risk of blood clots following surgery.a blood clotting disorder, such as thrombophilia.an irregular heart rhythm, known as atrial fibrillation.a replacement or mechanical (prosthetic) heart valve.Warfarin may also be prescribed for people at an increased risk of developing harmful blood clots, such as those with: pulmonary embolism – a blood clot in the lungs.deep vein thrombosis – a blood clot within a deep vein in the body, usually in a leg.When warfarin is prescribedĪnticoagulant medicines, such as warfarin, are often prescribed for people who've had a condition caused by a blood clot, such as: This disrupts the clotting process, making it take longer for the blood to clot. Warfarin blocks one of the enzymes (proteins) that uses vitamin K to produce clotting factors. To produce some of the clotting factors, the liver needs a good supply of vitamin K. They work with cells that trigger the clotting process (platelets) to ensure blood clots effectively. An anticoagulant is a medicine that stops blood clotting.Ĭlotting (thickening) is a complex process involving a number of substances called clotting factors.Ĭlotting factors are produced by the liver and help control bleeding. ![]() Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant used in the UK. ![]()
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