This measures how long it takes for your blood to clot. Others must have frequent blood tests and changes to their dosage to avoid side effects and excess bleeding. You may also need to be checked before having certain medical procedures that involve bleeding, like surgery.
You may notice that the color of your warfarin pill is different from time to time. The color represents the dosage, so you should keep an eye on it and ask your doctor if you have questions about seeing a different color in your bottle.
Your doctor can give you more guidelines for treatment and any changes in dosage. The foods you eat may also interfere with its effect on your body.
If you miss a dose, call your doctor to see how you should get back on track. Some who remember their missed dose close to when they normally take it may be able to take it a few hours late. Others may need to wait until the following day and double up their dose. Your doctor can advise you on the best method for your situation. These situations may be signs of either internal bleeding or could lead to extreme blood loss.
Acting fast may save your life. Bleeding is the biggest risk with long-term blood thinner use. The following are things you can do at home to reduce your chances of bleeding from everyday activities:. Instead, try eating a variety of foods that are low in vitamin K, including:. Remember that blood thinners may not make you feel better on a daily basis. If you have concerns about blood thinners and long-term use, speak with your doctor about the risks versus benefits.
If you have certain conditions, your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner medication. Blood thinners can work to lower your chances of having a heart…. Learn tips for preventing this dangerous…. Blood clots often occur without symptoms.
This can make it difficult to tell if you have one. Learn more about the early warning signs. Is Tylenol a blood thinner? It offers basic information about the medication, including reasons why a clinician might prescribe it. It also includes tips on diet, medicines and foods to avoid, important precautions for some daily activities, and when to seek help.
Select to download print version of the guide [ PDF - 2. This guide is also available in Spanish [ PDF - 3. Your doctor has prescribed a medicine called a blood thinner to prevent blood clots. Blood clots can put you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious medical problems. A blood thinner is a kind of drug called an anticoagulant an-te-ko-AG-u-lent.
Blood thinner drugs work well when they are used correctly. To help you learn about your medicine, your doctor has given you this booklet to read. The term "doctor" is used in this booklet to refer to the person who helps you manage your blood thinner medicine. You and your doctor will work together as a team to make sure that taking your blood thinner does not stop you from living well and safely.
The information in this booklet will help you understand why you are taking a blood thinner and how to keep yourself healthy. Please take time to read all of the information in this booklet. There are different types of blood thinners. Your doctor may also discuss using one of the newer blood thinners depending on your individual situation. Always take your blood thinner as directed. For example, some blood thinners need to be taken at the same time of day, every day.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If this happens when your doctor is not available, skip the missed dose and start again the next day. Mark the missed dose in a diary or on a calendar. If something seems different, ask the pharmacist to double check it. Many medication errors are found by patients. Tell your doctor about every medicine you take.
The doctor needs to know about all your medicines, including medicines you used before you started taking a blood thinner. Other medicines can change the way your blood thinner works. Your blood thinner can also change how other medicines work. It is very important to talk with your doctor about all the medicines you take, including other prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
If you are taking a blood thinner, talk to your doctor before taking any medication that has aspirin in it.
Medicines you get over the counter may also interact with your blood thinner. Following is a list of some common medicines that you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about before using. Talk to your doctor about every medication and over-the-counter product that you take.
Because you take a blood thinner, you will be seen regularly by the doctor who prescribed the medicine. You may also see other doctors for different problems. When you see other doctors, it is very important that you tell them you are taking a blood thinner. You should also tell your dentist and the person who cleans your teeth. Blood thinners can interact with medicines and treatments that other doctors might prescribe for you. If another doctor orders a new medicine for you, tell the doctor who ordered your blood thinner because dose changes for your blood thinner may be needed.
Tell all your doctors about every medication and over-the-counter product that you take. When taking a blood thinner it is important to be aware of its possible side effects.
Bleeding is the most common side effect. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of the following signs of serious bleeding:. Call your doctor and go to the hospital immediately if you have had a fall or hit your head, even if you are not bleeding.
You can be bleeding but not see any blood. For example, if you fall and hit your head, bleeding can occur inside your skull. Or, if you hurt your arm during a fall and then notice a large purple bruise, this means you are bleeding under your skin. Because you are taking a blood thinner, you should try not to hurt yourself and cause bleeding.
You need to be careful when you use knives, scissors, razors, or any sharp object that can make you bleed. You also need to avoid activities and sports that could cause injury. Swimming and walking are safe activities. But the newer anticoagulants may be more convenient because you do not need to have regular blood tests or be quite as careful about what you eat. You can drink alcohol while taking warfarin as long as you stick to the national guidelines of no more than 14 units a week for men and women.
A standard glass of wine ml is 2 units. A pint of lager or beer is usually 2 to 3 units of alcohol. Drinking heavily, especially binge drinking lots of alcohol in one go, is dangerous while taking warfarin. The alcohol can increase warfarin's effect and make you more likely to bleed. Because of the risk of bleeding, your dose of warfarin may need to be lowered or stopped a few days before you have an operation. It's not usually recommended to have a body piercing or tattoo while you're taking warfarin because of the increased risk of bleeding and infection.
If you still want go ahead, talk to your doctor about your specific risks in case you need antibiotics or adjustments to your warfarin dosage. And let the tattooist or piercer know beforehand that you're taking a blood-thinning medicine.
You can still go to your dentist as usual. But tell your dentist if you're taking warfarin before you have any treatment, especially if you need to have a tooth out. You may need to have blood tests before starting treatment to make sure your blood will clot enough to stop any bleeding. Before taking out a tooth, your dentist will need to know how well your blood is clotting. It's safe for you to have vaccinations, but tell the nurse or doctor that you're taking warfarin.
If the vaccine is normally given by injection into the muscle, provided you're up-to-date with your blood tests and the results are within the target range, you can have the injection as normal into muscle. Or the injection can be given into the layer of fat underneath your skin. This is called a subcutaneous injection. It might help prevent bruising if you press on the injection site for 10 minutes after the vaccination.
Warfarin does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception. But you should have an INR blood test when you start or stop taking contraception. This is to check whether your warfarin dose is still at the right level or needs to be changed. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking warfarin will reduce fertility in either men or women.
But it's not suitable for women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. This is because it may harm the baby. It's thought that cannabis can affect your blood tests and increase your risk of serious bleeding.
It's not clear how other recreational drugs like cocaine and heroin affect warfarin. They could be potentially dangerous. Tell your doctor if you think you may take recreational drugs while you're on warfarin. Warfarin does not affect your concentration, so you can drive or ride a bike while you're taking it. You can reduce your risk of having a blood clot by making changes to your lifestyle, such as:.
Page last reviewed: 12 April Next review due: 12 April Warfarin On this page About warfarin Key facts Who can and can't take warfarin How and when to take it Bleeding and what to do about it Other side effects How to cope with side effects Advice about food and drink Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.
About warfarin Warfarin is a type of medicine known as an anticoagulant, or blood thinner. Warfarin is used to treat people who have had a previous blood clot, such as: a blood clot in the leg deep vein thrombosis, or DVT a blood clot in the lungs pulmonary embolism It's also used to prevent blood clots if you're at high risk of having them in the future.
This includes people with: an abnormal heartbeat atrial fibrillation a replacement or mechanical heart valve a blood clotting disorder, such as thrombophilia a higher chance of having a blood clot after an operation Warfarin is only available on prescription. NHS coronavirus advice When taking warfarin, you need to have regular blood tests. Updated: 15 October Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? It's usual to take warfarin once a day, normally in the evening.
The main side effect of warfarin is bleeding more easily than normal, such as having nosebleeds, bleeding gums, heavier periods and bruising. This is most likely to happen in the first few weeks of treatment or if you're unwell. You need to have blood tests at least every 12 weeks while you're taking warfarin to make sure your dose is right. Expect your warfarin dose to go up or down.
This is normal. The dose can depend on lots of different things, including what you eat and drink, what other medicines you're taking, and if you become unwell. Always carry your anticoagulant alert card with you. Show it to your doctor or dentist before you have any medical or dental procedures, including vaccinations and routine appointments with the dental hygienist.
Warfarin can be taken by adults and children. Warfarin is not suitable for some people. Tell your doctor if you: have had an allergic reaction to warfarin or any other medicines in the past are trying to get pregnant or you're already pregnant - warfarin can be harmful to the baby have liver or kidney problems have had an infection of the lining of your heart known as endocarditis have a health problem that causes bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or makes you bruise easily have high blood pressure are taking the herbal remedy St John's wort for depression.
Dosage and strength The usual warfarin dose is 10mg a day for the first 2 days, then between 3mg and 9mg a day after that. The strengths and colours are: 0. How to take it It's very important to take warfarin as your doctor advises. How long to take it for If you have had a blood clot in your leg or lungs, you'll probably take a short course of warfarin for 6 weeks to 6 months.
Will my dose go up and down? Why do I have blood tests? The yellow book and alert card When you start taking warfarin, you may be given a yellow book about anticoagulants. Example of front of anticoagulant alert card. Example of back of anticoagulant alert card. What if I forget to take it? It's important to try to remember to take your warfarin on time.
If you miss a dose of warfarin, write it down in your yellow book. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Never take more than 1 dose a day. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.
If you're worried, contact your anticoagulant clinic or doctor. What if I take too much? You may need to change your next dose of warfarin or have a blood test. Less serious bleeding It's usual to bleed more easily than normal while you're taking warfarin. The kind of bleeding you might have includes: periods that are heavier and last longer than normal bleeding for a little longer than usual if you cut yourself occasional nosebleeds that last for less than 10 minutes bleeding from your gums when you brush your teeth bruises that come up more easily and take longer to fade than usual This type of bleeding is not dangerous and should stop by itself.
Things you can do to help yourself Cuts press on the cut for 10 minutes with a clean cloth. Nosebleeds — find out how to stop a nosebleed or watch this video on nosebleeds. Bleeding gums — if your gums are bleeding, try using a soft toothbrush and waxed dental floss to clean your teeth. Bruises — these are harmless, but can be unsightly. It might help to make them fade more quickly if you put an ice pack wrapped in a towel over the bruise for 10 minutes at a time several times a day.
What you can do to prevent bleeding While you're taking warfarin, be careful when you do activities that might cause an injury or a cut or bruising.
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