Safe Time Frame

[Diesel]

I have a question about coumadin and safe time frames:

I take my coumadin every day at 5:30.. well the other day.. it slipped my mind as i was at the store and didnt have it on me. Then i got home and kept on being busy... Well at 7:45 i realized i still hadnt taken my pill. SO i took my dose then.

But there must be some kind of time frame when you just say forget about it, and dont take it hu? ANd just take your normal dose the next day?

Im not sure.. maybe you just take it as soon as you remember even if its 11 at night? i have NO IDEA thats why im asking!!!

Now i have taken it a half hour early before, which i figured was fine.. BUt how LATE do you dare to throw off your pill???

Diesel

 

[Nancy]

If you've ever been dosed with any meds in the hospital, they are frequently late, sometimes by a couple of hours. You should be fine.

All can give you a very detailed answer though.

 

[Cris N]

Most of the documentation I have read says if you remember it the same day, take it. If you're getting close to the med time next day, skip it. Based on what you described I would certainly take it any time up to bedtime. To be honest, I would take it the next morning if I realized I had forgotten. I'm so paranoid about falling too low... last week I was at 2.0 and I sort of freaked out. Didn't even want to look at a salad for fear the Vit. K might jump out & attack me

 

[bvdr]

Diesel, I really don't pay any attention to the clock when I take my coumadin anymore. I just take it before I go to bed whether it be 9 or midnight. It is one less thing to stress over. It is easy to remember and always on time.

 

[Granbonny]

I plan to take mine at 5P.M. everyday...that is when I am cooking supper and get on VR.Com.. Kinda remembers me to take mine when I read VR.com.. Sometimes I am late..coming home from Grandkids..maybe at 7 P.m.. I took mine again today...3.3..same as 2 weeks ago..3.3... Even with the heat, ect..I am still in range.. Don't worry so much..Even if you forget..you can always adjust..Just up your dosage..a tad every day.. I call it tweaking.. ..enjoy life..coumadin is the worse of our problems..Bonnie

 

[Granbonny]

Diesel

Diesel

I meant to say..coumadin is the least of our problems.. Bonnie

 

[Ross]

Coumadin is slow acting that unless your more then 12 hours late, just take it and go on with life.

 

[Diesel]

Thanks everyone!! Im NOT going to stress about it then anymore!! I know ill remember with in 12 hours!! I was afraid to keep it consistant i only had a few hours!! But now, ill have to convince my MOM that its okay to take it later!!

Thanks again!
Diesel

 

[Ross]

I always take mine when I get up, whether its 4am or whatever. I've forgotten it before as long as 8 hours later and still take it without worry.

 

[Guest]

Even doubling up is not all that bad even though everything says to not do it. The old better high than low rule that we live by makes better sense than don't double up.

 

[CCRN]

Time to dose the rat?

Time to dose the rat?

Diesel, I really don't pay any attention to the clock when I take my coumadin anymore. I just take it before I go to bed whether it be 9 or midnight. It is one less thing to stress over. It is easy to remember and always on time.

I ditto the above. I once forgot mine, took the regular dose immediately the next am, cut the next dose in 1/2, divided what was left of the 1/2 dose and took it (just 1.25 mg) along with the next two days doses. I was told I should have just skipped it all together but I'm a nurse and was paranoid I would stroke immediately without the dose.

 

[Guest]

Yeah CCRNs like immediate results!! Their idea of fun is not giving somebody a pill and waiting 3 days to see what happens, is it?

 

[CCRN]

Bully on line.......

Bully on line.......

Yeah CCRNs like immediate results!! Their idea of fun is not giving somebody a pill and waiting 3 days to see what happens, is it?

Ross, he's picking on me!

 

[Guest]

Come on admit it. You want to give an IV and see the response in more than 10 seconds. The world and healthcare need all types. I have helped with several dozen resuscitations but would not like to make it my major source of income. I like to give a pill and wait a week and see what happens.

 

[CCRN]

IVs

IVs

Come on admit it. You want to give an IV and see the response in more than 10 seconds. The world and healthcare need all types. I have helped with several dozen resuscitations but would not like to make it my major source of income. I like to give a pill and wait a week and see what happens.

Hey, if I give something IV and I don't get a quick response I'm checking the site to be sure it's in the vein. Resusitations are not my bread and butter either. Good thing too since I work in SURGERY. I like to cut on people and then give them three months to a year and see how they're doing. So far the result is good on my part. AND you're going to get in trouble for bullying me and going off the thread's subject.

I've been pleased with my coumadin management thus far. I go to the coumadin clinic at my hospital and hope to be managing myself with home testing soon. I find the plastic boxes I use with each day of the week are reassuring to me me when I can't remember whether I took my nightly dose or not. Hope this helps.