Warfarin Institute of America
DEDICATED TO YOUR HEALTH SINCE 2000
My grandmother is in the hospital for wheezing. Her INR is 3.5, but she has no signs of bleeding. They ordered vitamin K 10mg IV every day. Is this appropriate? - JH
The recommendation for vitamin K 10mg IV daily is not appropriate. In patients with an INR above the therapeutic range but less than 5 and with no significant bleeding, warfarin should be held or the dose decreased. The INR should be monitored daily, and when the INR is therapeutic warfarin should be resumed at a lower dose. There is no indication for vitamin K in this case.
My recommendation in this patient would be to hold today’s dose of warfarin because her INR is slightly above therapeutic range. I would continue to monitor her INR daily and restart the warfarin when her INR is back to within her therapeutic range. I would also continue to monitor her other blood tests daily to ensure that she does not develop undetected bleeding.
Reference:
1. Ansell J, Hirsh J, Poller L, Bussey H, Jacobson A, Hylek E. The Pharmacology and Management of the Vitamin K Antagonists. The Seventh ACCP Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. CHEST 2004;126(3):204S-233S.
© 2007 Audra Patten Used by permission
e-mail questions to allodwick@earthlink.net
SEE A CATALOG OF PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE FROM LODWICK CREATIONS, LLC.
LEARN HOW YOU CAN BECOME LISTED ON THE HONOR ROLL OF SUPPORTERS AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE BENEFITS
REQUEST A MEDICATION CONSULTATION
Back to interactions list Home
© 2007 Lodwick Creations, LLC
Contact Mr. Lodwick at: allodwick@earthlink.net
Last updated June 13, 2007
