Coumadin : Dosage Forumlations
Take a close look at the photograph above. This is a magnified view of the different strengths currently available in commercial Coumadin® tablets. They are all the same shape and size, but differ from each other in:
- Color
- Numerical value (i.e. label)
Each tablet is imprinted with the drug name on the top half of the pill. In the center is a bold faced numeral, indicating the milligrams of warfarin base in each tablet. There is a dividing line (or "score") across the middle of the front face of each pill. This permits the patient to easily cut the pill into two equal halfs with a dull kitchen knife.
Notice the similar colors between the 1 (one) milligram and the 5 (five) milligram tablet. You cannot identify the different pills by color alone. Whenever you receive your prescription from the pharmacist, look at the identifying marks on the tablets and confirm the actual dosage with what your doctor prescribed. If the pills do not match, don't ingest any of them. Return them to the pharmacy right away and fill the proper dosage. Ingestion of pills that are too strong can result in serious, potentially harmful bleeding complications.
Most patients are advised to take their Coumadin® pills in the evening time. The action of Coumadin® does not depend on the time of day. However, evening dosing of this drug makes it easier to adjust the amount after obtaining the results of the morning blood test. If the Pro-Time or INR indicate that an adjustment is needed, it is best if you have not already taken the dose for that day. For example, if you have your Pro-Time drawn in the morning, but also take your pill in the morning, your doctor would have more difficulty reducing your dosage if you have already taken the medication. So, evening dosing is preferred in order to make dosing changes quicker and easier.
Most patients purchase a 7-day (Monday through Sunday) pillbox. Each Monday, all 7 days worth of Coumadin® is placed into the slots. The pillbox should stay in the bathroom near your toothbrush. The easier way to take Coumadin® is at the same time that you brush your teeth at night.
If you have small children in the household, the pillbox must be secured against accidental ingestion by a child. Should this occur, contact the nearest emergency room or poison control center right away. If recognized quickly, the effect of Coumadin® can be reversed by administration of Vitamin K. Treatment for Coumadin® ingestion would require hospitalization.
Additional Coumadin Sections:
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