Afa warfarin and other medication - (p).indd

Warfarin and Other Medication
This fact sheet is intended to help those aff ected by atrial fi brillation (AF) understand warfarin and the eff ects other medications • Dexamethadone oral steroid medication Many people with atrial fi brillation may find that farin and Other Medication - P
warfarin therapy is recommended to thin the blood and reduce their risk of stroke.
Warfarin is a very eff ective medication however it does require regular INR (International Normalised Ratio) monitoring to assess how thin it makes the blood. It works by interfering with how the liver uses the Vitamin K taken in our diet. Many other medications are also broken down by the liver and may aff ect how eff ectively warfarin thins the blood. Medications can increase the eff ect of warfarin and thus a lower dose may need to be taken, or they may decrease the eff ect of warfarin so a higher dose may need to be taken. Being on warfarin and medications that will eff ect atient Information
its actions is not a problem when taken long term, however when such drugs are started or their dose changed then increased monitoring of Medications that increase the effects of
warfarin include:
• Mefenamic acid anti-infl ammatory pain killer Founder & Chief Executive: Trudie Lobban MBE Trustees: Professor A John Camm,
Professor Richard Schilling, Mrs Jayne Mudd Atrial Fibrillation Association Registered Charity No. 1122442 www.aa-international.org
Published November 2011, Reviewed June 2012, Planned Review Date June 2014 Affiliate
If you would like further information or would like to provide feedback please contact AFA. Please remember that this publication provides general guidelines only. Individuals should always discuss their condition with their own doctor.
Medications that decrease the effect of
farin and Other Medication - P
warfarin include:
• Sodium valporate anti-epileptic medication atient Information
THIS LIST IS NOT INTENDED TO BE COMPREHENSIVE BUT HELPFUL AS A GUIDE
Acknowledgements: Atrial Fibrillation Association would like to
thank all those who helped in the development and review of this
publication. Particular thanks is given to Dr Andreas Wolff GP.
Founder & Chief Executive: Trudie Lobban MBE Trustees: Professor A John Camm,
Professor Richard Schilling, Mrs Jayne Mudd Atrial Fibrillation Association Registered Charity No. 1122442 www.aa-international.org
Published November 2011, Reviewed June 2012, Planned Review Date June 2014 Affiliate
If you would like further information or would like to provide feedback please contact AFA. Please remember that this publication provides general guidelines only. Individuals should always discuss their condition with their own doctor.

Source: http://www.europeaf.org/files/file/Publications/120726-st-FINAL-Warfarin%20&%20Other%20Medication_pdf.pdf