Oops! I Think I Missed a Dose

[JimChicago]

When I went to take my coumadin tonite I noticed my Wednesday dose was still in my 7 day pill reminder so I apparently forgot to take it last night.

Should I just stay on my regular dose now?

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Jim,

Yes, stay on your regular dose. Do not double up or take extra. Test your INR in a few days Do you have your home test kit?

 

[JimChicago]

Thanks Gina _ I'll do that.

It's possible I did take it but took my Tuesday dose on Wednesday since I recently refilled my 7 day pill reminder. I guess I should innitial a form when I take it to make sure.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Jim,

I have a 7 day Pill Box (which I fill on Saturday night) AND a chart, actually a data sheet, numbered 1 to 31 for each day of the month, with headings for each of my medications, vitamins, exercise, and symptoms...and I still missed 2 doses last year which I caught the following morning.

Someone came up with a suggestion that I like for missed doses and that is to divide your missed dose by 3, and add that amount to your regular dose for the next 3 days. You can fudge the numbers to come out in 0.5 mg increments as long as the 3 day total increase equals the missed dose.

I like that idea because by the end of the week, your weekly total is the same as if you had not missed the dose and you NEVER double up so you don't swing too wildly while correcting for the missed dose. My Coumadin Clinic Nurse knows this is what I do and has no objections. I believe Al Lodwick also acknowledged it was NOT alarming to him, stopping short of endorsing the idea for everyone.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Guest]

If missing one dose or doubling up on one dose had any SERIOUS outcomes (not just a fluctuating INR) there wouldn't be enough people left to make this site any fun.

No matter what you do, there is little chance of harm.

The interesting thing about the 7 day pill minders is that they don't seem to cut down much on people forgetting a dose. They cut down on people taking their dose twice.

 

[SJJ]

The only way for me to make sure that I never forget a dose is to have my pill minder right next to my toothbrush. Since I take my coumadin at night it just gets paired with brushing my teeth. The older and ditzyier(sp?) I get, the more I have to utilize these little tricks but, hey, the good thing is that I'm getting older instead of the alternative and I'm starting to think of my post surgery life as my "second wind."
Sue

 

[Sunshine susan]

Hi Jim and all---I am the one who came up with the idea of breaking the missed dose down into 3 days--and guess what I am still having to do it!!! I'm pretty good, but every so often, I just forget. My INR does't waver much either way fortunately...Good luck! Susan

 

[Guest]

Just be sure and pay attention to what you are doing when you fill your pill munder. One of my aunts was filling hers and talking to her husband. She absent-mindedly swallowed the handful of pills she was holding to put into the pill minder. Fortunately it was not a lethal dose of anything.