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Warfarin, does anyone know anything about it?

7 replies

Curiousmama · 30/12/2010 16:12

My mum's been on it for a while. She had a heart scare a few years back.

Yesterday she had her blood checked and the warfarin was high, over 3.5 I think? Nurse said it could be because she'd had a painkiller the night before?

I did a google at mum's request (although told her not to take it as gospel) it said you shouldn't take ibuprofen with warfarin. Mum had taken it. I told her and she said 'but I've taken them before'

I told her to see GP or specialist as I'm not medic.

OP posts:

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bruxeur · 30/12/2010 16:18

Ibuprofen + warfarin = increased risk of gastric bleed. Shouldn't affect the INR though. Paracetamol might - did she take that too?

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ajandjjmum · 30/12/2010 16:19

I know that the blood viscosity (? sp) has to be kept at an ideal level - I think it's 2.5, which is why it needs to be checked regularly, and the dosage adjusted accordingly.

Is she having another check soon?

My DDad was on this for about 20 years, and it does have some side effects, but on the whole, did the job well.

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moonmother · 30/12/2010 16:21

My Dad's on Warfarin for an irregular heartbeat. It thins his blood and he has to go for fortnightly blood tests to measure the levels.

I do know that since he has been on it, he has had to check with the pharmacist a few times as to what other medication he can take with it. I think Ibruprofen was one of the ones they don't recommended you take.

He has other medical problems and one of those is gout, his Gp found it difficult finding an anti imflammatory that he could use with the Warfarin.

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usualsuspect · 30/12/2010 16:25

My mums on warfarin and has been told to only takes paracetamol..she has her blood checked about every six weeks and the dose is adjusted accordingly

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GrimmaTheNome · 30/12/2010 16:27

And make sure she doesn't go and take aspirin instead!!

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inthesticks · 30/12/2010 16:30

My mum takes warfarin. She has painful arthritis but has been told not to take ibuprofen as it increases the risk of bleeding. Unfortunately paracetamol doesn't work as well.
If her INR was high they will probably adjust the dose for a few days then test again.

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Curiousmama · 30/12/2010 16:32

Thanks everyone. Yes I told her not to take aspirin. She's 80 so no doubt has been told stuff but forgets. Her much younger dp should go with her to the next appointment IMO as he's the one who makes sure she takes her meds correctly.

She said her blood was 2.5 or 2.6 usually.