alcoholism and coumadin
warfarin (WAR far in)
What is the most important information I should know about Coumadin?
• Never take a double dose of this medication alcoholism and coumadin.
• Do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, OrudisKT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), and others while taking Coumadin,except under the direction of your doctor alcoholism and coumadin. These medicines increase the riskof bleeding alcoholism and coumadin.
• Avoid sudden changes in your diet alcoholism and coumadin. Vitamin K decreases the effects ofCoumadin alcoholism and coumadin. Large amounts of vitamin K are found in foods such as liver, broccoli,brussels sprouts, and green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, Swiss chard, coriander,collards, cabbage) alcoholism and coumadin. Do not change the amount of these foods in your diet withoutfirst talking to your doctor alcoholism and coumadin.
• It will be necessary to regularly monitor your therapy with a blood testcalled a "PT" or an "INR." These tests help to determinethe amount of Coumadin that you need to take alcoholism and coumadin.
• Contact your doctor if you experience any unusual bruises or heavilybleeding wounds, diarrhea, infection, or fever during treatment with Coumadin alcoholism and coumadin.
What is Coumadin?
• Coumadin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) alcoholism and coumadin.
• Coumadin reduces the formation of blood clots, which is important inthe prevention of heart attacks, strokes, and blockage of major veins and arteries alcoholism and coumadin.
• Coumadin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide alcoholism and coumadin.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Coumadin?
• Do not take Coumadin if you:
· recently had surgery;
· have a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the stomach;
· have had a certain type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain;
· have had an aneurysm;
· recently had a spinal puncture or lumbar block anesthesia; or
· have bacterial endocarditis (infection of the heart), pericarditis(swelling of tissue around the heart), or pericardial effusion (build-up offluid around the heart) alcoholism and coumadin.
• Before taking Coumadin, tell your doctor if you:
· have kidney disease;
· have liver disease;
· have high blood pressure;
· have a hereditary protein C or protein S deficiency;
· are diabetic;
· have polycythemia vera;
· have vasculitis;
· have congestive heart failure;
· have a collagen vascular disorder such as systemic lupus erythematosus;
· have thyroid disease;
· have high cholesterol;
· have cancer;
· have a vitamin K deficiency;
· are considering having surgery; or
· are taking antibiotics to treat an infection alcoholism and coumadin.
• You may not be able to take Coumadin, or you may need a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove alcoholism and coumadin.
• Coumadin is in the FDA pregnancy category X alcoholism and coumadin. This means that Coumadinis known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby and must not be taken duringpregnancy alcoholism and coumadin. Do not take Coumadin if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment alcoholism and coumadin. Consult your doctor immediately if you become pregnant whiletaking Coumadin alcoholism and coumadin.
• Coumadin has not been detected in human breast milk alcoholism and coumadin. Talk to your doctorbefore taking Coumadin if you are breast-feeding a baby alcoholism and coumadin.
How should I take Coumadin?
• Take Coumadin exactly as directed by your doctor alcoholism and coumadin. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you alcoholism and coumadin.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water alcoholism and coumadin.
• It is important to take Coumadin at the same time every day alcoholism and coumadin. Coumadincan be taken with or without food alcoholism and coumadin.
• It is important to take Coumadin regularly to get the most benefit alcoholism and coumadin.
• Never take a double dose of this medication alcoholism and coumadin.
• Do not stop taking Coumadin without first talking to your doctor alcoholism and coumadin.
• It will be necessary to regularly monitor your therapy with a blood testcalled a "PT" or an "INR." These tests help to determinethe amount of Coumadin that you need to take alcoholism and coumadin. Your doctor may also want youto have other blood tests or medical evaluations during treatment with Coumadinto monitor progress and side effects alcoholism and coumadin.
• Do not take any more or less of this drug than is prescribed for you alcoholism and coumadin.
• Avoid sudden changes in your diet alcoholism and coumadin. Vitamin K decreases the effects ofCoumadin alcoholism and coumadin. Large amounts of vitamin K are found in foods such as liver, broccoli,brussels sprouts, and green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, Swiss chard, coriander,collards, cabbage) alcoholism and coumadin. Do not change the amount of these foods in your diet withoutfirst talking to your doctor alcoholism and coumadin.
• Contact your doctor if you experience any unusual bruises or heavilybleeding wounds, diarrhea, infection, or fever during treatment with Coumadin alcoholism and coumadin.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat alcoholism and coumadin.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, on the same day alcoholism and coumadin. If themissed dose is not remembered until the next day, skip that dose and take onlythe next regularly scheduled dose.Never take a double dose of this medication alcoholism and coumadin.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical treatment alcoholism and coumadin.
• Symptoms of a Coumadin overdose include bruising; small, broken bloodvessels under the skin; excessive bleeding from cuts or wounds; bleeding fromthe gums; blood in the stools, urine, or vomit; and excessive menstrual bleedingin women alcoholism and coumadin.
What should I avoid while taking Coumadin?
• Avoid sudden changes in your diet alcoholism and coumadin. Vitamin K decreases the effects ofCoumadin alcoholism and coumadin. Large amounts of vitamin K are found in foods such as liver, broccoli,brussels sprouts, and green leafy vegetables (e.g., spinach, Swiss chard, coriander,collards, cabbage) alcoholism and coumadin. Do not change the amount of these foods in your diet withoutfirst talking to your doctor alcoholism and coumadin.
• Do not take aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, OrudisKT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox) and others while taking Coumadin,except under the direction of your doctor alcoholism and coumadin. These medicines increase the riskof bleeding alcoholism and coumadin.
• Tell your doctor (or dentist) that you are taking Coumadin before takingan antibiotic or before having surgery alcoholism and coumadin.
• Do not start or stop taking any other medications during treatment withCoumadin without first talking to your doctor alcoholism and coumadin.
• Avoid hazardous activities and sports that may cause injuries alcoholism and coumadin. Bleedingand bruising may be a problem, especially at the start of therapy alcoholism and coumadin. Watch forexcessive bleeding and bruising and report any unusual bruises or heavily bleedingwounds to your doctor alcoholism and coumadin.
• Avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco products alcoholism and coumadin. These products can alterthe effects of Coumadin and cause problems with your therapy alcoholism and coumadin. Discuss the useof alcohol and tobacco with your doctor alcoholism and coumadin.
What are the possible side effects of Coumadin?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects from Coumadin,stop taking the medication and seek emergency medical attention or contact yourdoctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· black, bloody, or tarry stools;
· blood in urine or vomit;
· coughing up blood;
· bleeding gums or sores in the mouth;
· decreased urine production;
· yellowing of the skin or eyes;
· severe dizziness or headache;
· easy bleeding or bruising under the skin;
· purple discoloration of the toes or fingers;
· sudden leg or foot pain; or
· unusually heavy menstrual periods alcoholism and coumadin.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur alcoholism and coumadin. Talk toyour doctor if you experience
· excessive gas or bloating;
· diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting;
· hair loss; or
· decreased appetite or weight alcoholism and coumadin.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur alcoholism and coumadin. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome alcoholism and coumadin.
What other drugs will affect Coumadin?
• Coumadin interacts with many other drugs, and these interactions canbe dangerous, even fatal alcoholism and coumadin. Before starting treatment with Coumadin, tell yourdoctor and pharmacist about all medicines you take including prescription medicines,over-the-counter products, vitamins, minerals, and herbal products alcoholism and coumadin. Talk toyour doctor and pharmacist before taking any other medication during treatmentwith Coumadin alcoholism and coumadin.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about Coumadin written forhealth professionals that you may read alcoholism and coumadin.
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