Double dose...what next?

[Blanche]

Sometimes I feel like I just forgot myself and today is one of them. I have been having trouble remembering my Coumadin dose in the evening, so I have been trying to take it earlier in the day. Seems like I did take it earlier in the day and then took it again later in the evening.

Well, I took a double dose...What the heck do I do now? Most confusing! I really blew this one. Suggestions, please.....

Blanche

 

[OldNick]

Keeping Track of Coumadin

Keeping Track of Coumadin

My solution to the problem is to print up a sheet of paper with a block for each day. Each week I write in the intended dose for each day of that week, and total them up at the bottom of the column. Each day, I check off the dose and immediately take it. Then, if there is a question in my mind, I can look at the sheet and see that I took it for that day. It works for me.

As to your immediate problem, it would depend on how your INR is compared to your range. If you are low, I would continue with your dose tomorrow. If you are high, I would be inclined to skip a day and then get back on schedule.

I'm no physician, but I have been successfully managing my Coumadin for almost 14 years.

Good luck!

Jim N.

 

[geebee]

Hi Blanche,

Although coumadin is a drug that stays in the system for a little while, I always feel it is good to take some every day (may not be the case but that is my story and I am sticking to it). On the rare occasion that I take a double dose (has only happened a couple of times over the years - I am more prone to forget a dose), I take a half dose the following day and go back to my regular schedule. Skipping (even after a double dose) causes me to drop below level at some point and I would always prefer to be too high than too low.

Just my non-physician opinion.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Al Lodwick pointed out that the Main Advantage of using a weekly Pill Box is avoiding DOUBLE DOSES.

I have two 7 day pill boxes, one for my Morning Pills and one for my Evening Pills.

In addition, I print out a spread sheet numbered 1 to 31 vertically with each medication listed at the top of a column, along with columns for Weight, Exercise, and Symptoms. These sheets are on a clipboard that hangs on the wall above the kitchen sink.

My S.O. also checks my pill boxes and check sheet for a third level of backup.

Like Gina, I don't like skipping a dose so would be inclined to take 1/2 dose the next day (maybe next 2 days at most), if I KNEW that I had taken a double dose.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[csutherland]

It's my understand that, since the weekly amount is the objective, just try to keep that the same. In other words, if that happens w/Jerry (and it has) I have him take the next day's dose in the evening, then the next about noon, then back to the morning. That way he's taking the correct total amount. Right or wrong, it seems to work for him. He uses a 7-day pill box and is prone to reaching in the "evening" slot to take his morning meds. He's usually thinking about the next thing he's going to do instead of what he's doing!

 

[Karlynn]

What's your daily dose Blanche?

I'm kind of like Gina. When that happens I take a about a quarter of my dose (quick is 10/day). Don't know if there's anything scientific about that, but it seems to work for me.

The reality is, if you hadn't realized you double dosed yourself and you didn't test for a week, your INR would probably give you little clue that you had done so. It will have spiked and then corrected without you even knowing it most likely.

 

[Guest]

If we live so close to the edge that taking an extra dose spells "D-O-O-M" then none of us will do well.

Just take 1/2 your regular dose tomorrow and forgetaboutit.

 

[Blanche]

Thank you, folks

Thank you, folks

I did as Al Lodwick suggested....even before he suggested it. I took 1/2 dose for two days. I feel no ill effects and have had no problems. Now, when we do the next INR, we shall see where I am. My daily dose is 6.5.

Thank you all for the good advice and concern. Let's just hope I learn from my stupid mistake...Although, I did enjoy the big spinach salad and the V-8, and the cabbage and the.....

Kind regards and thanks,
Blanche

 

[Christina]

Blanche,

Where have I been but I didn't know YOU were on Coumadin too. I thought your dear husband was the patient here. Fill me in...
I take my Coumadin early in the morning when I get to the kitchen and that has worked best for me. In the beginning I also took it in the evening at 6PM but I kept forgetting to take it. Mornings work best for me.
I see that you've got it figured out though. Good girl..
Now go buy a pill box.

 

[Blanche]

Christina:
Al had his mitral valve replaced with a St Jude mechanical in October 1990, so that makes him the valve patient here. Unhappily, for no reason that we know of, last June I developed a-fib/a-flutter. The paramedics captured the information on their eco machine. I now take Toprol and Coumadin.
Regards,
Blanche

 

[Ross]

Christina:
Al had his mitral valve replaced with a St Jude mechanical in October 1990, so that makes him the valve patient here. Unhappily, for no reason that we know of, last June I developed a-fib/a-flutter. The paramedics captured the information on their eco machine. I now take Toprol and Coumadin.
Regards,
Blanche

Talking to me has that effect, sorry.

 

[Bina]

Maybe it was those hunky paramedics.....they can get me a fluttering too