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Some Specific Home Anticoagulant
This is a partial list of anticoagulation
medications that patients may be prescribed.
A Patient’s Guide to
Morristown Medical Center
Therapy Medications:
Some are primarily used while in the hospital
These medications differ and new anticoagulant and some are used both in and out of the
hospital.
Anticoagulation
medications continue to become available. Yourphysician or healthcare provider will prescribe for you, Comprehensive information is available for
Overlook Medical Center
each of these medications while in the
hospital and from your pharmacy after you
Warfarin (Brand Names-Coumadin® and Jantoven®):
leave the hospital. This information should be
reviewed with your care givers to understand
Newton Medical Center
- Is a medication taken by mouth, usually once dosing, route, drug to drug and food to drug
interactions, the requirement for follow up lab
- Blood tests are ordered and monitored to
tests, side effects or any questions you may
determine if your therapy is optimal. Dose have about these medications. (as of 04/12)
Atlantic Home Care and Hospice
changes may be determined by your test values.
Unfractionated Heparin (No Brand Name)
It is important to have regular monitoring
Injection or IV
and to have blood testing as requested to
ensure optimal therapy and safety.
Enoxaparin (Brand Name - Lovenox®) Injection
Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute
Fondaparinux (Brand Name - Arixtra®) Injection
- Warfarin tablets come in different strengths;
Argatroban (No Brand Name) IV
each is a different color, with dose printed on Bivalirudin (Angiomax®) IV
the tablet. If the color or dose of the tablet For a referral to an Atlantic Health physician,
appears different than those taken previously, Lepirudin (Refludan®) Injection or IV
call 1-800-247-9580 or visit us online at
the patient should immediately notify their Dabigatran (Pradaxa®) By Mouth
atlantichealth.org
Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®) By Mouth
Warfarin (Coumadin) By Mouth
- Diet: Carefully follow your prescribed diet
instructions. Avoid making major changes in It is not the intent of this brochure to provide all
dietary habits. Greatly varying your daily intake the information you may need to know for
of vitamin K can interfere with this anticoagulation every type of anticoagulation medication. It is
therapy and change its action. Vitamin K is found important to review the medication information
in dark green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, you receive from your Doctors, Pharmacists
cabbage, asparagus, spinach and salad greens.
and other care providers.
You may eat these items, just eat about thesame amount each day to keep vitamin K levelseven. Speak with a healthcare provider regardingmajor diet changes or concerns.
For further information please speak to your
Physician or Pharmacist
Additional information specific to Coumadin/Warfarin is also available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality online at ahrq.gov/consumer/coumadin.htm. The booklet is titled, Your Guide to Coumadin/Warfarin Therapy.
A Patient’s Guide to
Anticoagulation Therapy
Possible Side Effects while using
Other medications that may interact with
Anticoagulants:
anticoagulant medications:
Call your physician and consider emergency
Ask your physician(s), healthcare provider or What is anticoagulation therapy?
Follow up monitoring is very important. Your medical care if you notice any of these
pharmacist before stopping or starting any
physician or healthcare provider may need to other medication, including over-the-counter (OTC) Anticoagulation therapy is medication taken to side effects
check your blood at regular intervals while you medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Many reduce or prevent harmful blood clots from forming.
are using anticoagulant therapy. Be sure to keep Allergic reaction: itching or hives, swelling in medications, including prescription, herbals and Why do I need anticoagulation therapy?
all appointments and always bring your current your face and hands, swelling or tingling in Over The Counter medications may interact with To prevent harmful blood clots called Pulmonary your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble anticoagulant medications. Always inform your Emboli (PE) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).
You may bleed more easily while on anticoagulants.
physician(s) about all medications you are taking Clots can cause a stroke, heart attack, or other Stay away from contact sports or other situations as well as when to stop or start any medications.
Persistent bleeding from your gums, nose or a serious problems. It is important to continue this where you could be bruised, cut, or injured.
medication as long as prescribed by your physician.
wound, bruising easily, or coughing up blood Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful that may interact are listed below. There are many when using sharp objects, including razors and others and if you have any questions about any General and safety considerations while
fingernail clippers. Avoid picking your nose, if you on anticoagulation therapy:
medication, please, contact your physician(s), Bloody or black, tarry stools or blood in urine need to blow your nose, blow it gently.
Make sure all your physicians and healthcare Alcohol interacts with your liver and may affect Vomiting of material that looks like coffee providers know you are on anticoagulant therapy.
Aspirin also called acetylsalicylic acid, salicylate anticoagulant medications. You should avoid Provide them a list of all the medications you or ASA. Some examples of other medications alcohol while on an anticoagulants. You should are taking at each visit. The list should include Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your discuss with your physician or healthcare the names, the dose, how often you take each providers if you have questions or concerns. For UNCONTROLLED BLEEDING seek
It is important to take the medication as Always review the drug information provided by Anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen (Motrin, immediate medical attention.
your pharmacist or caregivers for all your Midol, Nuprin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve) or anticoagulation therapy is important to your Potentially less serious side effects are:
safety. Be sure to refill your prescription so you It is important to understand the potential for Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in high or frequent do not run out. If you forget or miss a dose, do Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or upset stomach adverse drug reactions and interactions. This doses may interact with some anticoagulants not take a double dose to make up for a missed includes drug and food interactions for the dose. It is very important to take this medication and should be discussed with your healthcare medications you take and diet you follow.
at the same time/times each day to keep the blood level of medication consistent.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet Cold and allergy preparations may contain the to let any emergency caregivers know you are It is necessary to immediately inform your physician and healthcare providers if youbecome pregnant or are breast feeding.
Keep all medications safely and properly stored, Herbal and Alternative medications: may not have been tested to see if they interact with Inform your physician if you have liver disease,peptic ulcer, history of bleeding or blood anticoagulant medications but many have the Do not share any medication prescribed for you.
disorders, kidney disease, congestive heart potential to do so. If you start or stop any For UNCONTROLLED BLEEDING seek
failure, high blood pressure, diabetes, any type herbal medication, contact your physician to immediate medical attention.
of infection or any other medical condition.
ensure that it won’t affect your anticoagulation Also tell your physician if you have recently had This Anticoagulation Guide does not take the
place of talking with your doctor about your
medical condition or your treatment.

Source: http://www.overlookfamilymedicine.atlantichealth.org/sites/6/files/Anticoagulation%20brochure.pdf