Coumadin is an anticoagulant that is used to prevent blood clots from forming and may be necessary for a variety of conditions:
While on Coumadin, you will need to have your blood tested regularly with a test known as an INR (International Normalized Ratio), sometimes referred to as a PT (Protime) test. The PT/INR allows your doctor to monitor the blood-thinning effect of Coumadin and adjust your dose as needed.
Your INR will be followed closely by your cardiologist or through your primary care physician's office. On the day your INR blood work is drawn, you should be called by your doctor with instructions on how to adjust your Coumadin dose. If your INR is being followed by our physicians, we will usually ask you to take your daily dose of Coumadin in the evening which will allow us to contact you before the end of the work day to make any necessary changes in your dose.
If any of the following occur:
Call your doctor, if any of the following occur:
Do not start, discontinue or change other medicines without doctor's advice.
Always tell other doctors, dentists, pharmacists, or nurses that you are on Coumadin.
You should keep the same general diet from day to day and avoid alcohol.
If you forget to take a dose on a given day, let your doctor know. You should take the missed dose as soon as possible on the same day, but should NOT take a double dose of Coumadin the next day.
Vitamin K and Your Diet
The amount of vitamin K in your diet can affect the way Coumadin works for you. If you eat a lot of foods that are high in vitamin K, you can decrease the blood thinning effect. On the other hand, lowering your vitamin K intake can increase the effect. You should try to eat a normal, balanced diet keeping the amount of vitamin K the same everyday. It is important that you check with your health care provider before making any major changes to your diet. Tell your health care provider if there are sudden or drastic changes in your diet due to illness.
In general, leafy green vegetables and certain legumes and vegetable oils contain high amounts of vitamin K. Some foods that are low in vitamin K include roots, bulbs, tubers, the fleshy part of fruits, fruit juices, and other beverages. Cereal grains and other milled products are also low in vitamin K.