|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (dye
KOO ma
role) |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Anticoagulant, Coumarin Derivative |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to dicumarol or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Severe liver disease,
severe kidney disease, open wounds, bleeding that can not be
stopped.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to thin the blood so that clots will not form.
There are a variety of medical conditions where this is
needed.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Dicumarol prevents the liver from producing the factors that thicken
or clot blood.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach. Take at a similar time every day.
- Follow diet plan as recommended by healthcare provider. Keep vitamin K
intake constant. Talk with
nutritionist.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Wear drug medical alert identification.
- Limit alcohol intake (no more than 5 ounces of wine, 1 ounce of
liquor, or 12 ounces of beer per day).
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
- You will have a tendency to bleed more easily. Use caution to prevent
injury and avoid falls or accidents. Tell dentists, surgeons, and other
healthcare providers about this medicine.
- Avoid other blood thinners (aspirin, aspirin-containing products,
ibuprofen or like products, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo,
vitamin E) unless approved by healthcare provider.
- Avoid multivitamins, herbal products, dietary supplements
(Ensure® and like products) that contain additional
vitamin K. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Bleeding problems. This includes nosebleeds, coughing up blood, blood
in the urine or stool, or bruising.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check prothrombin time/INR every 4-6 weeks once stable. More frequent
testing is needed early on. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Watch for signs and symptoms of bleeding. If any, report them to
healthcare provider as soon as possible.
- Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist every 6
months.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up
blood.
- Any falls or accidents, especially if you hit your head (even if you
feel fine).
- Unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Any rash.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a dry place at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
|
|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
|
|
|
The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
|
![[Subscribe to Newsletter]](http://www.healthandage.org/images/tonews.gif){kind=small}
Alternative Medicine
