Acenocoumarol
From PharmDatabase.org
Generic name: Anisindione
Brand names: Acenocoumarol, Dicumarol, Miradon, Warfarin
Related Medical Conditions: Heart Attack, Ischemia, Pulmonary Thromboembolism, Stroke, Thrombosis
Related Groups: Anticoagulant
Contents |
What is Acenocoumarol?
Anticoagulants decrease the clotting ability of the blood and therefore help to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. These medicines are sometimes called blood thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They also will not dissolve clots that already have formed, but they may prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems. They are often used as treatment for certain blood vessel, heart, and lung conditions.
In order for an anticoagulant to help you without causing serious bleeding, it must be used properly and all of the precautions concerning its use must be followed exactly. Be sure that you have discussed the use of this medicine with your doctor. It is very important that you understand all of your doctor's orders and that you are willing and able to follow them exactly.
Anticoagulants are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
Oral
- Acenocoumarol
- Tablets (Canada)
- Anisindione
- Tablets (U.S.)
- Dicumarol
- Tablets (U.S.)
- Warfarin
- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
- Warfarin
- Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Acenocoumarol Usage and Dosage
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not take more or less of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. This is especially important for elderly patients, who are especially sensitive to the effects of anticoagulants. Also, it is best if you take this medicine at the same time each day.
Your doctor or health care professional should check your progress at regular visits . A blood test must be taken regularly to see how fast your blood is clotting. This will help your doctor decide on the proper amount of anticoagulant you should be taking each day. Some patients may be able to test their blood at home; discuss with your doctor whether or not this is possible for you.
Dosing-The dose of these medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For Acenocoumarol
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
- Adults-The usual dose is 1 to 10 milligrams (mg) per day, adjusted according to blood tests.
- Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
For Anisindione
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
- Adults-The usual dose is 25 to 250 milligrams (mg) per day, adjusted according to blood tests.
- Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
For Dicumarol
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
- Adults-The usual dose is 25 to 200 milligrams (mg) per day, adjusted according to blood tests.
- Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
For Warfarin
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
- Adults-The starting dose is usually 2 to 5 milligrams (mg) per day for two to four days. Then, your dose may be adjusted, depending on your condition and results of routine blood tests.
- Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
- For injection dosage form:
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
- Adults-The starting dose is usually 2 to 5 milligrams (mg) per day for two to four days. Then, your dose may be adjusted, depending on your condition and results of routine blood tests.
- Children-Dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For preventing or treating harmful blood clots:
Acenocoumarol Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Since many things can affect the way your body reacts to this medicine, you should always watch for signs of unusual bleeding. Unusual bleeding may mean that your body is getting more medicine than it needs. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following signs of bleeding or overdose occur :
- Bleeding from gums when brushing teeth; blood in urine; nosebleeds; pinpoint red spots on skin; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusually heavy bleeding or oozing from cuts or wounds; unusually heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding.
Signs and symptoms of bleeding inside the body-dose-related
- Abdominal or stomach pain or swelling; back pain or backaches; black, tarry stools; bleeding in eye; blood in stools; blood in vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in urine; blurred vision; chest pain; confusion; constipation; coughing up blood; diarrhea (sudden and severe); dizziness or fainting; headache (continuing or severe); joint pain, stiffness, or swelling; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting (severe); nervousness; numbness or tingling of hands, feet, or face; paralysis; shortness of breath; weakness (sudden)
Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
- Cough or hoarseness; fever or chills; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; skin rash, hives, or itching
Rare
- Blisters or itching on skin; blue or purple toes; dark urine; pain in toes; painful red sores on skin, especially on thighs, breasts, penis, or buttocks; sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or throat; sudden increase or decrease in amount of urine; swelling of face, feet, and/or lower legs; trouble in breathing; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Less common or rare
- Bloated stomach or gas (with dicumarol); cold intolerance; diarrhea (more common with dicumarol); loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting (more common with dicumarol); stomach cramps or pain
These medicines sometimes cause temporary loss of hair on the scalp.
Depending on your diet, anisindione may cause your urine to turn orange. Since it may be hard to tell the difference between blood in the urine and this normal color change, check with your doctor if you notice any color change in your urine.
Other Drugs Interaction
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Many different medicines can affect the way anticoagulants work in your body . Therefore, it is very important that your health care professional knows if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine, especially:
- Amiodarone (e.g., Cordarone)
- Cimetidine (e.g., Tagamet)
- Metronidazole (e.g., Flagyl)
- Omeprazole (e.g., Prilosec)
- Zafirlukast (e.g., Accolate)-Effects of anticoagulants may be increased because of slower removal from the body
- Anabolic steroids (nandrolone [e.g., Anabolin], oxandrolone [e.g., Anavar], oxymetholone [e.g., Anadrol], stanozolol [e.g., Winstrol])
- Androgens (male hormones)
- Antifungals, azole (e.g., Diflucan)
- Antithyroid agents (medicine for overactive thyroid)
- Aspirin or other salicylates, including bismuth subsalicylate (e.g., Pepto-Bismol)
- Cephalosporins (medicine for infection)
- Cinchophen
- Clofibrate (e.g., Abitrate, Atromid-S)
- Danazol (e.g., Danocrine)
- Dextrothyroxine
- Diflunisal
- Disulfiram (e.g., Antabuse)
- Fluvoxamine (e.g., Luvox)
- Inflammation or pain medicine (except narcotics)
- Lepirudin (e.g., Refludan)
- Medications causing low platelet count
- Paroxetine (e.g., Paxil)
- Propafenone (e.g., Rythmol)
- Quinidine (e.g., Quinidex)
- Sertraline (e.g., Zoloft)
- Sulfapyridine
- Sulfasalazine (e.g., Azulfidine)
- Thyroid hormones
- Ticlopidine (e.g., Ticlid)
- Zileuton (e.g., Zyflo)-These medications may increase the effects of anticoagulants and may increase the chance of bleeding
- Carbenicillin by injection (e.g., Geopen)
- Dipyridamole (e.g., Persantine)
- Divalproex (e.g., Depakote)
- Moxalactam (e.g., Moxam)
- Pentoxifylline (e.g., Trantal)
- Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin)
- Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane)
- Thrombolytic agents (medicine for blood clots)
- Ticarcillin (e.g., Ticar)
- Valproic acid (e.g., Depakene)-Using any of these medicines together with anticoagulants may increase the chance of bleeding
- Alcohol (with chronic use)
- Barbiturates
- Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol)
- Corticosteroids (cortisone-like medicine)
- Glutethimide (e.g., Doriden)
- Griseofulvin (e.g., Fulvicin)
- Phenylbutazone (e.g., Butazolidin)
- Phenytoin (e.g., Dilantin)
- Primidone (e.g., Mysoline)
- Rifampin (e.g., Rifadin)-Effects of anticoagulants may be decreased because of faster removal from the body
- Vitamin K (e.g., AquaMEPHYTON)-Vitamin K helps produce some important blood clotting factors and may decrease the effects of anticoagulants if used at the same time
Acenocoumarol Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
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