2 dental visits & flu shot

[Sagebrush]

I have a home testing unit and test once a week on Tuesday mornings. Well this week has been quite exciting for my INR because Tuesday and Wednesday I had dental visits and each day I had to take 600 mg of Clindamycin. Then Thursday I have a flu shot. So should I test sooner than Tuesday because of this crazy week or should I just be patient? My INR was a tad bit low on Tuesday 2.4....but usually for the last 4 or 5 weeks it was testing at 3.0. I know that it takes about 3 days for it to show up and change with the INR. Am I just freaking myself out?

 

[Bina]

Ahhhhh, the beauty of home testing......I would test again on Sunday. Better safe than sorry.
You are not freaking out, you are being smart.

 

[doyo]

Based on our own experience and other members', flu shot has no effect on INR. My wife also takes an anti-biotic before the dental visits. I forgot the name of her antibiotic but think it was different from the one you mentioned.
We found her antibiotic had no effect on INR. But I do know some types of antibiotics do have an effect. Hopefully some experienced members will post reply on your antibiotic.


EJ

 

[Freddie]

Oh MY, this IS spooky.
I'm going through the same thing, even the same antibiotic, although my INR is just a tad high. I see the Dentist on Monday and the new protocol for warfarin users is to take 600mg of antibiotic's. I have read that Clindamycin will rise the INR and my doc believes it will also rise slightly. So, I got tested yesterday - INR 3.5, Doc wants me to have 4mg today and 5mg until next Thursday and get retested. (note: for the past 3 months I've been on 6mg with the average INR of 2.5). And I'm getting the famous flu shot tomorrow.
Don't freak out Sagebrush, I'm not. In time it will all be back to normal. Its just a small bump in the road we are both taking. Relax
(thanks for posting this, I was thinking of doing the same thing. Man, how great minds think alike)

 

[Ross]

Cindamycin will make your INR rise. The flu shot shouldn't do anything, but check your INR in the next 3 days to see what you need to do.

 

[catwoman]

I have read that Clindamycin will rise the INR and my doc believes it will also rise slightly. So, I got tested yesterday - INR 3.5, Doc wants me to have 4mg today and 5mg until next Thursday and get retested. (note: for the past 3 months I've been on 6mg with the average INR of 2.5). And I'm getting the famous flu shot tomorrow.

Freddie:
Why worry about an INR of 3.5? Those with mechanical MVs have a range of 2.5-3.5.
You won't be staying on Clindamycin, so why fiddle with the dosage? (I'm assuming you take the 600mg of Clindamycin 1 hour before your dental, and that's all you take.)

How long will an INR be increased because of Clindamycin?