I have been on a course of Warfarin for 6 months and have now been advised to stop taking the medication within the next couple of weeks. Should I just stop or slowly reduce the medication from 7 mg down to zero over a period of say 7 days, my nurse at my local practice says to stop on a given day and my specialist says reduce the actual medication at 1mg per day. Confused!
2007-02-27 02:29:02 · 10 answers · asked by lorraine i 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Definitely follow your specialist's advice.
2007-02-27 02:36:37 · answer #1 · answered by Polo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the specialist a doctor? If so, the specialist over rules the nurse. Always. Follow the doctor's instructions. Warfarin takes a while to leave the system. Just as long as it takes to get into the system. You still need to follow your bleeding precautions even after stopping the drug all together because of it still being in your system for a little while after stopping. If you are still confused, then call the specialist and ask what they are recommending you do. Tell them what was said by the nurse etc.
2007-02-27 02:39:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with what your Specialist says and reduce slowly..
Usually if they had you start it by slowly increasing then they will have you slowly decrease..
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682277.html
"Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of warfarin and gradually increase or decrease your dose based on the results of your blood tests. Make sure you understand any new dosing instructions from your doctor."
http://www.drugs.com/pdr/Warfarin_sodium.html
While taking Warfarin sodium, avoid activities and sports that could cause an injury. Remain cautious after you stop taking Warfarin sodium. It will continue to work for 2 to 5 days.
2007-02-27 02:46:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The blood thinner was given to you for a specific reason. The prescribing Doctor should tell you how and when to stop taking it. I have been taking Coumadin (same as Warfarin) for two years. I still go in every two weeks to have my PT (blood clotting time) checked. I have atrial fibrillation and the Coumadin is to keep a clot from forming when my heart flutters or skips regular beats.
The Doctor who gave it to you knows why it was needed and should be the one to tell you when and how to stop.
More info on the Web...just type in: Warfarin
2007-02-27 02:50:56 · answer #4 · answered by TexasStar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should listen to your specialist and also point out to the practice nurse that her advice contradicted that of the specialist. I am amazed that you think this is an appropriate forum to ask such a question.
2007-02-27 04:50:06 · answer #5 · answered by LillyB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
back it off day by day like the Dr. says
if you start today, in 7 days you'll be stopped completely, well within the couple of weeks time frame you were given.
another good thing about backing off gradually is that if you begin to have problems with your circulation again it would hopefully be a smaller problem than if you just went off your meds cold-turkey.
Good luck!
2007-02-27 02:41:48 · answer #6 · answered by notsureifimshy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to the doctor. Never stop a blood thinner suddenly. You have to titrate down in the dosage. Also, my sister's on Coumadin and I know ALL about that danger.
2007-02-27 02:36:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
listen to your specialist, reduce the medication slowly so that your body gets used to having less and less in your system and you don't get any withdrawal symptoms.
2007-02-27 02:40:07 · answer #8 · answered by Lou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest you take the specialists advice as he is more qualified
2007-02-27 02:33:32 · answer #9 · answered by barn owl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask a pharmacist. They have a greater knowledge of drugs.
2007-02-27 02:32:19 · answer #10 · answered by jet-set 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋