Anticoagulant drugs prevent harmful clots from forming inside your veins and, if present, from growing by allowing your blood to clot for a longer period of time. The drug used for this purpose in our country is known as Coumadin. It is available in pharmacies as 5 and 10 mg tablets. Your doctor will decide when and in what dose the drug will be used.

What Should We Pay Attention to While Using Our Anticoagulant Medicine Coumadin?

• Coumadin is taken orally as a single dose per day.
• It is important to take the medicine at the same time every day.
• It is more appropriate to take it in the evening.
• It can be taken on an empty or full stomach.
• It should be taken with a glass of water.
• It is usually started with 5 mg (1 tablet) every day. Your doctor will decide how to start and what dose to continue.
• Before starting the medication, normal INR values ​​are determined. In some cases, it may be necessary to give a medication intravenously until the desired INR value is reached.
• If you forget to take a dose or accidentally use the wrong dose, make a note of it. Continue using the medicine at the normal dose the next day and Never take two doses at onceIf the wrong dose you took is more than the normal dose Be sure to consult your doctor.

Monitoring is Required While Using Coumadin!

1. While your doctor is monitoring you, he or she will order an INR test. This test measures how quickly your blood clots. The normal INR value for blood is around 1.

1. The dosage of medication you should use is determined by your INR test.
2. Do not stop taking the medication or change the dosage without your doctor’s advice.
3. Always be cautious and get your medication refilled when you have at least 1-2 weeks of medication left.

What Should I Do – and What Should I Not Do – While Taking Coumadin?

1. Is it safe to exercise while taking Coumadin?

• It is not safe to do activities that cause bleeding, such as boxing and karate.
• There is no harm in doing activities that do not have a risk of bleeding.

2. How should dental care be performed while using Coumadin?

• It should be brushed gently with a soft brush. Hard blows cause bleeding gums. Dental floss should also be gentle.
• If spontaneous bleeding occurs, this may mean that the dose of coumadin is too high .In this case, be sure to inform your doctor.
• Before having dental treatment, be sure to tell your doctor that you are taking Coumadin. If you are having a tooth extraction or any other procedure that will cause bleeding while you are taking Coumadin, the dose may need to be adjusted.

What Are Some of the Unwanted Effects of Coumadin?

1. The most important side effect of anticoagulant drugs is bleeding. If you experience any of the following, seek medical attention and have your INR measured immediately.

• Prolonged nosebleeds (longer than 10 minutes)
• Vomiting accompanied by blood
• Blood in saliva
• Blood in urine or stool
• Black stools
• Severe or spontaneous gum bleeding,
• Unusual headaches
• Unusual increase in menstrual bleeding
• Developing unexplained bruises anywhere on your body

2. There may also be side effects such as itching and rash on the skin, abdominal cramps. If you experience any effects that you think are related to the drug, consult your doctor.

Things You Need to Pay Attention to!

1. If you cut yourself anywhere, apply pressure to the area with a clean, dry cloth for at least 5 minutes without obstructing blood flow.
2. If the INR is above 5, stop taking the medication and call your doctor immediately.
3. In cases of internal or external bleeding, such as traffic accidents inside and outside the vehicle, sharp object injuries, assault, falling from a height, severe head impact, etc., seek medical attention immediately.

Some medications you use may interact with Coumadin and change your INR level!

1. If you start taking another medication while taking anticoagulant medication or if you stop taking a medication, your doctor may ask you to take a new test within a week. The purpose of this test is to make sure that your INR level remains the same despite the medication changes. In such a case, consult your doctor for more information.
2. If you plan to use non-prescription drugs, including herbal drugs, tell your pharmacist that you are using anticoagulant drugs, show your drug dosage and INR values. However, do not forget that it would be healthier to consult your doctor on this matter.
3. Do not take aspirin unless specifically prescribed by your doctor.
4. Also avoid commonly used painkillers such as cataflam, dolorex, kalidren, diclomec, difenac, dicloron, miyadren, voltaren, advil, artril, brufen, dolgit, dolorin, ibu-600, nurofen, profen, siyafen, suprafen, upren. Since painkillers are needed, the use of paracetamol or codeine-containing drugs may be acceptable. Consult your doctor about this. In patients who start coumadin while receiving chemotherapy or who start chemotherapy while receiving coumadin, the first few weeks of treatment should be very careful and the coumadin dose should be adjusted by frequent INR monitoring.
5. Many other medications can interact with Coumadin and change your INR. It is important to consult your doctor about this.

You Should Pay Attention to Your Food!

1. Any major change in your diet can change how your body responds to anticoagulant medications. Your INR may become too high, and you may experience unexpected bleeding.
2. Foods rich in vitamin K in particular can change your INR result. These include green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, collard greens, spinach, peas, liver, egg yolks, grains such as wheat bran and oats, cheddar cheese, soy, and olive oil. These foods are essential for a healthy diet, but excessive consumption can change your INR value. Try to consume these foods regularly in the same amounts.
3. Plants such as red pepper, chamomile, angelica, tansy, garlic, flaxseed, ginger, green tea, horse chestnut, goat’s beard, poplar bud, turmeric, and lion’s tail may increase the effects of anticoagulant drugs such as coumadin and cause bleeding. Be careful about this.
4. If you need any dietary support, please inform your dietitian that you are taking Coumadin.
5. If there are significant changes in your diet for more than 7 days, you should have an INR test.
6. Remember that drinking too much alcohol while taking anticoagulant medications can also be dangerous.

Pregnancy

1. Anticoagulant medications can affect the baby during the first 3 months of pregnancy. Women who are planning to become pregnant and are taking these medications should discuss this with their doctor before pregnancy.
2. Women who think they may be pregnant while using anticoagulant medication should take a pregnancy test as soon as possible and consult their doctor immediately if the result is positive.
3. There is no known harm in breastfeeding while taking anticoagulant medication.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR .