First Time Ever - Help

[Freddie]

Yep, I missed taking my warfarin last night

I've read the other threads regarding this issue. Some replies say to take 1/2 a dose if the mistake is realized within a 12 hour period. Others say miss that dose and resume your regular routine. Some say to spread out the missed dosage over the next 2 days.
I'm taking 7mg around 5:00pm - don't ask what happened last night when I forgot.
Here's the possible problem: I am to go to the lab tomorrow to get my INR done, as per-usual, every 2 weeks. I could go today or Friday if it makes a difference.
So I'm thinking on taking 5mg right now and another 5mg tonight and then resume my regular dosage routine tomorrow. Am I thinking right? or do I skip?

And before anybody asks me, Yes I do have a pill box
Thanks,

 

[Bina]

Freddie, it's a good thing that you DO have a pill box, otherwise you may not have known that you missed a dose.
If it was me....I would take 1/2 dose now.

 

[Lisa in Katy]

This isn't medical advice, but what I would do is take the missed dose in the morning (now) and then proceed with my regular dosing schedule tonight. Since Warfarin builds up over time, my personal opinion is that this would keep me closer to the total amount that I need to stay in range.

My reaction depends on when I figure out that I missed the dose. If you hadn't figured it out until tonight, I would say take half tonight and half tomorrow night, but since you figured it out this morning, I think a 12 hour spread between 2 full doses is okay.

BTW, do you think we can invent a pillbox that takes itself out of the cabinet, presents itself to us with a glass of water, and says "Hey! Take your meds!"

 

[Bina]

Okay, I just checked on the fact sheet that I got from my pharmacist....it says that if a missed dose is noticed within a few hours it's fine to take the dose.
If the missed dose was not noticed until time for the next one.....Never double the dose.
So, you can safely take a full dose now if you prefer.

 

[Freddie]

Ever tried to split 7mg? Made a mess of the 5mg pill. Decided on taking the full dosage - minus a few crumbs and I' go for blood work today.

Thanks for the advice Lisa and Bina (man am I an idiot)

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Yep, I missed taking my warfarin last night

I'm taking 7mg around 5:00pm - don't ask what happened last night when I forgot.

Ok, I won't ask..

Don't fret too much Freddie, we all forget at times - least I do and I've got the pillbox too. I discovered on a Sunday when my INR tanked at 1.2 that I had forgotten my Thursday pill. Since I take 10mg it took almost a week to get it back up there. A drag for sure..

 

[Karlynn]

If you're regularly scheduled for your blood work - go ahead and get it. But if you're going because you forgot to take it last night 1) today's INR won't reflect that 2) you've already solved the problem by going ahead and taking the dose.

If you test your INR in a few days it may be a little high because of the closer proximity of 2 doses, but within 5 days - you'll be back on target.

Forgetting one dose is not going to put you in any jeopardy. But I do understand the little bit of panic - we've all been there. Life goes on swimmingly!

 

[Bina]

Fred wants to check the INR today while it's still in range.....LOL....her doc is easily freaked out.
Oh yah, I got a very basic pill splitter at the dollar store. But I have also used very sharp scissors.
(I'm not allowed near knives)

 

[Bina]

Ok, I won't ask..

Don't fret too much Freddie, we all forget at times - least I do and I've got the pillbox too. I discovered on a Sunday when my INR tanked at 1.2 that I had forgotten my Thursday pill. Since I take 10mg it took almost a week to get it back up there. A drag for sure..

I have another pillbox trick----at the end of the day when I've taken my last pill, I leave the compartment lid open.
End of the week, all the little lids will be open if all pills are taken and then refill everything.

 

[CThrock]

Freddie, I almost missed a dose a few months ago. Just took it as soon as I remembered, which was only a few hours. I'm one of those that takes it in the pm. I don't use a pill box unless I'm going out of town. Should I use one? What's the benefit of using one? Maybe I should start?
Makes me feel old to use one, like I can't remember or something.

 

[Bina]

I LOVE my pillbox!! Nothing to do with feeling "old", this is about taking control and being organized.

 

[lb151]

I have another pillbox trick----at the end of the day when I've taken my last pill, I leave the compartment lid open.
End of the week, all the little lids will be open if all pills are taken and then refill everything.

I love that idea!!

 

[Freddie]

I have another pillbox trick----at the end of the day when I've taken my last pill, I leave the compartment lid open.
End of the week, all the little lids will be open if all pills are taken and then refill everything.

Believe it or not, I too leave the lids open once empty, why on earth I didn't see one lid closed when I took my bedtime pills I'll never know - I use a simple daytime pillbox which I fill every morning - which explains my small panic this morning when I saw the lid closed and pills inside.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I've played several different mathematical games to 'divvy up' my doses after missing a dose.

Here's what I settled on (because it's EASY and doesn't require any math!)

Take the FULL missed dose as soon as you discover it.
(You don't want your INR to drop any lower - DUH!)

If you discover it within 12 hours, just take the missed dose, and then resume your normal schedule.

If you discover it after 12 hours, SPLIT the Next Dose in half, take the first half at the normal time and the second half "sometime" on the following day, up to and including your normal dosing time.

Using this technique minimizes the 'down-time' and gets you back to your normal weekly dosing schedule within a few days.

'AL Capshaw' (disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional)

 

[TXGal]

I have another pillbox trick----at the end of the day when I've taken my last pill, I leave the compartment lid open.
End of the week, all the little lids will be open if all pills are taken and then refill everything.

that's a good tip!

 

[olefin]

Don't fret too much Freddie, we all forget at times - least I do and I've got the pillbox too.

No, we all don't forget.

My wife has never forgot to remind me to take my coumadin in the last 17.5 years.

Most likely had it not been for her I would have missed some.
We use a pill box, when all the days medication is taken the lid stays open. That is the last thing she checks before bedtime. She has a pill box also.

 

[Freddie]

Fred wants to check the INR today while it's still in range.....LOL....her doc is easily

Well guess what Bina, I'm NOT in range.
Check out my new thread "Oh Great"