Coumadin-Clinic
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) is an anticoagulant. Anti means against, and coagulant refers to blood clotting. Warfarin reduces the body's ability to make blood clots. Patients are prescribed warfarin to prevent your body from making blood clots that you don’t need. These clots can cause a serious medical problem. A clot can move to another part of your body. For example, if a clot moves to your brain it can cause a stroke.
The most common reasons for taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) include:
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
This is a blood clot that occurs in a deep vein. They most often occur in the legs, but can occur in other parts of your body as well.
Pulmonary Embolus (PE): This is a blood clot in the lung. Most often, the blood clots starts in the leg, breaks off and travels to the lung.
Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter
These are irregular heart rhythms that occur in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria). The atria do not empty all of the blood, which can cause the leftover blood to form clots. If a clot goes into your circulation, it can cause a stroke.
Mechanical Heart Valve Replacements
Blood clots can form on the mechanical heart valve. If a clot forms on the valve, it can prevent the valve from functioning, or if the clot breaks off into your circulation it can cause a stroke.
Other reasons for taking warfarin include heart attack, stroke, TIA or mini stroke, and after certain surgical procedures. Your doctor will decide when warfarin therapy is right for you.
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) reduces the body’s ability to make blood clots. It can help stop harmful clots form forming and keeps clots from getting larger. Warfarin does not break up existing clots.
It begins to reduce blood-clotting within 24 hours after taking the drug. The full effect may take 72 to 96 hours to occur. The anti-clotting effects of a single dose of warfarin last two to five days, but it is important for you to take your dose as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) is monitored by a blood test called the INR or International Normalized Ration. It is known as a drug with a “narrow range of effectiveness.” This means that there is a very narrow range where the drug is considered therapeutic. For most indications, the INR range is 2.0 or 3.0. For other health conditions the INR range is 2.5 to 3.5.
When your INR falls within your range (for example between 2.0 and 3.0), this means that your levels is “therapeutic.” When your INR level goes below the range (for example 1.5), your blood is “too thick” and places you at risk for blood clots. In this situation, your dosage of warfarin may need to be increased. If your INR goes above your range (for example 4.0), your blood is “too thin”, and places you at risk for bleeding. In this situation, your dosage of warfarin will need to be decreased.
The JCMG Coumadin Clinic consists of Registered Nurses who monitor your INR using a Coagucheck machine. This machine takes a drop of blood from your finger and determines your INR in less than one minute. The JCMG Coumadin Clinic nurse then determines if your dosage of warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) needs to be adjusted and when you need to have your blood tested again.
By calling 573-556-5722, patients of any JCMG physician may be enrolled into the Coumadin Clinic by their physician.
The medical director of the JCMG Coumadin Clinic is Dr. Conrad Balcer.