medicine and coumadin interacting

[tom math]

If I stop taking coumadin and start taking medicine for a week, will the medicine keep my INR down within the limits of 2.0 and 3.0.

I was taking both at the same time for two days and it increased my INR from 2.5 to 5.0

 

[Karlynn]

You're going to have to be more specific about the medicine and why you would need to stop taking the Coumadin.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

"Medicine" may make your INR high, low, or do nothing to it. It depends on the type of medicine, how much you take, how long you take it, and your individual body. Generally speaking, don't stop taking Coumadin just because you are going to be on any other medicine, unless it is something like Heparin or Lovenox that is given in place of Coumadin. Talk to your cardiologist. Read Al's website. Educate yourself about how Coumadin works. It is a long acting medicine and shouldn't be started and stopped, or adjusted too often, or it will never work right.

Also, although 5.0 is high, I wouldn't consider it dangerously high. Just eat some green vegetables and it will back in range in no time.

 

[Ross]

Never stop your Coumadin if your to be on it. We need to know exactly what "Medicine" your refering too.

 

[tom math]

medicine and coumadin interacting

the medicine I was taking is methylprednisolone which is a substitute for medrol and avelox.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Who is managing your Coumadin?
Did you tell them you were starting this new medication?
The usual protocol is to monitor you more closely and ADJUST (NOT discontinue) your Coumadin to keep you in range.

How long are you supposed to be on the 'new medication'?

ASK your Coumadin manager about the interaction.
Your Pharmacist is another good source of information.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[tom math]

coumadine interacting with other medicine

coumadine interacting with other medicine

did everything your talking about. the doctor is the one who told me to stop the coumadin until I am done with the medicine.

 

[Ross]

Your doctor is WRONG. You should cut back the dose of your Coumadin over the week, not stop taking it. How much do you normally take per week?

 

[Karlynn]

Here you go, Tom. This should give you some information.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/553030_4

The drug increases the effects of Coumadin. If there's no Coumadin in your system, there is nothing to increase and your INR will drop to 1.0. It is my opinion, that there is no way you should stop taking your Coumadin. What you need to do is get your INR tested at the beginning of the new med, and then test again 3-4 days later, and then 3-4 days after that. Your Coumadin should then be adjusted accordingly by a factor of 10-20%, depending on how high your INR gets.

If this is a medication you only take for the short term, you will need to make sure your INR is watched and then increased once the effects of the new med wears off.

The fact that the doctor told you to stop taking your Coumadin tells me that he/she did not bother to read any of the instructions associated with the drug.

Please don't go ahead and follow this doctors instructions simply because he's the doctor, because after you read the link, you will know more about the med than he does.l

 

[ALCapshaw2]

WHAT Doctor? When did he go to medical school?
How much experience has he had managing patients on Coumadin?

This guy sounds WAY OUT OF DATE to me!

Again, WHO is managing your Coumadin?
This same Doctor?

FWIW, the BEST managers seem to be designated Coumadin Clinics that are UP TO DATE on the latest thinking and techniques to maintain a STABLE INR.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[geebee]

I have taken Medrol more times than I care to count over the last 27 years for chronic pericarditis. I have never stopped my coumadin. However, there has been some slight dosage adjusting that was needed while on the Medrol.

If you stop taking your coumadin you will have much more to worry about than a high INR.

Please do not stop taking the coumadin. I, personally, would also start shopping for a new doctor.

 

[Guest]

You desperately need a new doctor!!!

 

[Lisa in Katy]

If you die, and I hope you don't, will there be someone around to sue your doctor for malpractice? This guy is crazy! Get a new doctor!

Like Gina, I have taken Medrol and Prednisone more than once since my surgery, also for recurring pericarditis. I've never stopped my Coumadin. Now, my doctor no longer puts me on the dose pack. Instead, I take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for the pain and inflammation.