Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Coumadin as follows:
- Coumadin should be avoided in individuals taking NSAIDs and other blood thinners. Taking Coumadin along with NSAIDs or other blood thinners concurrently can significantly increase the risk for bleeding episode.
- Also, maintaining a schedule for anticoagulant intake will help maintain the blood uniformly thin. This prevents the risks of extra thinning with consequent bleeding and thickening of blood with consequent clot formation.
- Patients taking Coumadin can occasionally present with episodes of internal bleeding, resulting in coughing up of blood, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, red colored urine, bleeding per rectum, and increased formation of ecchymosis and bleeding into the skin. Watch out closely for any such signs of bleeding and report to your doctor immediately, so that, a change in plan could be considered. Be aware of any symptoms of sudden weakness, faintness, or dizziness that can signify internal bleeds.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
