Warfarin is a medication used to treat and prevent blood clots. It comes as a 5mg white tablet and can cause bleeding from the nose, urine, stomach, gums, or cuts. Maintaining a stable vitamin K intake and avoiding alcohol and other drugs without consulting a doctor is important when taking warfarin. The dosage is based on PT/INR levels and should be taken at the same time each day as prescribed to effectively thin the blood. Patients should carry an identification card noting they are on warfarin and see their doctor regularly for monitoring.

1. Advices given for the patients on warfarin
1 tab=5mg white in color
Adverse effects
1. Bleeding
2. Epistaxis
3. Haematuria
4. Malena
5. Gum bleeding
6. Excess bleeding from cut injuries
7. Severe headaches/numbness/ faintishness
8. Menorrhagia
9. Purpura
Using warfarin during pregnancy→ fetal defects
Adequacy of warfarin dose is measured by PT/INR. Target value is different for different diseases.
Recommended dose should be used.
Tablets can be used before/ after meals
Should use tablets on same time in everyday. Better to take at 6 pm daily.
If the drug was forgotten, take it on the same day. If could not, you should not double the dose next day.
Should not discontinue without medical advice.
Should inform every doctor who treats you ( dentist/pharmacist) even in a mild illness about warfarin
therapy, specially before surgery.
Inform your doctor whether you are pregnant or willing for a pregnancy.
Avoid sports that can cause severe injuries to prevent severe bleeding.
But athletics, badminton can be continued.
Avoid cut/head injuries as much as posible.
Instances where activity of warfarin can be changed
Foods containing high vit-K levels (beef, green color leaves, vegetables-spinach/ cabbage
Vit K supplements. Therefore try to maintain the vit K levels of diet in a stable level as much as
possible
High alcohol consumption
Should not change/ take any drug without informing a doctor.
Never use aspirin/ aspirin containing drugs without prescription by a doctor.
Any disease/ disease with weight changes can change the warfarin activity
Always keep a card in your pocket indicating that you are on warfarin in case of emergency
Early medical treatment with signs of bleeding.
Attend clinic regularly.
Get PT/ INR checked as advised in the clinic.
High falls/ head injuries, make referals for intracranial bleeding.
Prepared based on the ward teachings- Yapa Wijeratne M/07/189