Article Abstract:
It may be advisable to use lower initial levels of warfarin therapy to provide effective and safe anticoagulant benefits. Clotting factor, protein C, and international normalized ratio (INR) measurements were made to determine effects on coagulation and vessel obstruction in 49 patients treated with either 5 milligram (mg) or 10 mg initial warfarin doses. Target INR levels were obtained quicker with those treated with 10 mg warfarin but were more likely to be above target levels for a longer period of time. A greater percentage of patients treated with 5 mg warfarin had longer-term INR levels in the target range.
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Article Abstract:
The international normalized ratio (INR) may overestimate or underestimate adequate anti-coagulation in patients with lupus anticoagulants who are taking the anticoagulant drug warfarin. Lupus anticoagulants are antibodies against phospholipids that interfere with blood coagulation. In a study of 34 patients with lupus anticoagulants, blood clotting tests showed that their clotting times were prolonged. In a subset of patients taking warfarin, the INR ranged from 0.4 to 6.5, compared to patients on warfarin without lupus anticoagulants, whose INR ranged from 0.5 to 1.2.
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Article Abstract:
Doctors should start patients with deep vein thrombosis on 10 milligrams of warfarin rather than 5 milligrams, according to a study of 201 patients. This will help the patient achieve an effective blood level of the drug quickly. Patients with deep vein thrombosis have abnormal blood clot formation in their legs. These patients are given warfarin to prevent this from happening.
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