Not all atrial fibrillation (AF) patients will be a suitable to receive these new medications. You should seek immediate medical attention if you: for women, heavy or increased bleeding during your period or any other vaginal bleeding.prolonged nose bleeds (more than 10 minutes).You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: The most serious side effect of DOACs is prolonged or heavy bleeding, although the risk of serious bleeding is less than warfarin. When you are on a DOAC, you are likely to bruise easily, and it will take longer for a simple cut to stop bleeding. The side effects of these medications are similar to warfarin. They are also less affected by different foods and, providing you take the tablet as instructed, the levels will remain stable. The main advantage of DOACs compared to warfarin is that they do not need monitoring, so you will not need to go for regular blood tests. These drugs work in a similar way to warfarin by increasing the time it takes for your blood to clot and have been shown in clinical trials to be at least as effective as warfarin. They have been approved by NICE (National Institute for Heath and Care Excellence) for the prevention of strokes in patients with AF. Click on the information tab to find out more.ĭirect oral anticoagulant medications (DOACs)ĭirect oral anticoagulants (or DOACs) are now available as an alternative treatment to warfarin.ĭOACs include dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban. It is important to be aware of certain things that can alter your warfarin levels including alcohol, some foods and medicines. You should seek immediate medical attention if you: prolonged bleeding from small cuts, or nose bleeds (more than 10 minutes).If you experience any of the following, you must seek medical attention and have an urgent INR test: The most serious side effect of anticoagulants is excessive bleeding. When you are on warfarin you are likely to bruise easily and it will take longer for a simple cut to stop bleeding. Click on the 'Information tab' to find out more. When taking warfarin you need to be aware of certain things that can alter your warfarin levels including alcohol, some foods, other side effects, and operations and dental surgery. You should make sure that you take your dose of warfarin once a day, at the same time each day usually, in the evening is best. There are some exception to this rule so please speak with your doctor or nurse to see what INR is considered therapeutic for you. If your levels are below 2 then you are not fully protected from a stroke and if your levels are too high (above 3), then you are at a higher risk of bleeding. More often, the INR levels should be maintained between 2 and 3. The INR level shows how quickly your blood is clotting. Warfarin effects are measured by your INR (international normalised ratio) levels. You will also be given a yellow "Oral Anticoagulation Therapy" booklet with more information about warfarin. You will be referred to an anticoagulation clinic or your GP will monitor your treatment. When you start taking warfarin, its effects will have to be monitored long term by blood tests. Warfarin works by blocking vitamin K, which is involved in the clotting process. Warfarin works by increasing the time that it takes for your blood to clot and will reduce the risk of a thrombus forming within the heart. Click on the information tab above to find out more. When taking warfarin you need to be aware of certain things that can alter your warfarin levels including alcohol, some foods and medicines. Warfarin is an anticoagulant (or blood-thinning medication) to reduce the risk of having a stroke. Hearts fitted with a mechanical valve need long-term anticoagulation treatment to prevent blood clots forming on the valveĪlthough warfarin is the most widely-used anticoagulant, there are others, including the new or novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs): PE is a blood clot which breaks off into the blood stream and blocks one of the blood vessels in the lungs Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE)ĭVT is a blood clot in a vein, usually in the leg.Anticoagulants are a blood-thinning medication used to reduce the risk of having a stroke, or when you have other conditions such as:
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