The Importance of Monitoring Blood While Using Coumadin (Warfarin)

By Grant Law Office on May 30, 2022

Coumadin is a very effective medication that can treat many conditions, but it does bring with it some side effects that can be very serious if patients taking it are not observed carefully. You will want to be sure that you or a loved one who is taking this medication is monitoring their dosage carefully as well as paying attention to early signs that there might be issues with your prescription. Doctors owe patients on Coumadin or Warfarin an extra duty of care to monitor their health while they are taking this medication on a regular basis

Nursing home residents alone suffer from around 34,000 fatal or serious health events each year in the US due to Coumadin use that is not being properly managed by a doctor. Warfarin and the generic form of it called Coumadin, are essential medications in the treatment of blood clots, but careful management of this medication regimen is essential for patient well-being.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the use of Coumadin or Wayfarin, the experienced Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys at Grant Law Office can help you understand your legal options and determine whether seeking compensation is right for your family. Contact us today at (404) 620-4123 to find out how we can help.

What is Warfarin?

Warfarin and the generic form of the drug called Coumadin, are anticoagulants that are used to prevent the formation of blood clots. These medications are used to treat and prevent blood clots that can lead to stroke, heart attack, and other serious health concerns. There are many kinds of health conditions that might require treatment with Coumadin or Warfarin, and your doctor will need to be sure to manage your dosage and your transition to this medication correctly if it is needed for your health and well-being.

Coumadin should not be taken by those prone to bleeding since this is a blood thinning drug. Coumadin also increases the risk of fatal bleeding conditions, and in people 65 and older, it can lead to bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Coumadin can also place patients at risk who do not disclose that they are taking the drug before they have surgery or procedures like spinal taps or epidurals.

Coumadin can make you bleed very easily if you have kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer or a low blood cell count, an accident or surgery, a stroke, if you are 65 or older, or if you have suffered bleeding in your stomach or intestines for another reason. Possible contraindications are diabetes, congestive heart failure, liver disease or kidney disease, hereditary clotting issues, or low blood platelets after being given heparin.

What Are Doctors Required to Do for Patients Taking Coumadin?

Doctors are required to carefully monitor patients when they are given this medication for signs that it is being poorly tolerated or for symptoms that might indicate incorrect dosing. Patients need to provide blood tests, and they need to be in communication with their doctor if they have a change of diet or a change in their other medications. Doctors also need to be careful not to prescribe this medication to patients taking other drugs that might interact with Coumadin.

Patients need to be aware of symptoms of overdose or incorrect management of their Coumadin. These can include bleeding gums, excessive bruising, weakness or dizziness, abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, pale complexion, sudden headache, swelling, and pain, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, heavy menstrual periods, bleeding from small wounds that will not stop, and blood in the urine or stools.

These symptoms can be early warning signs of a serious drug interaction or an overdose of Coumadin. Patients who are experiencing these symptoms must check into an ER right away. Excessive bleeding can lead to serious health problems as well as death and should not be ignored. If you are not able to drive yourself to a treatment facility, reach out for help right away so that you can be transported to a care facility as soon as possible.

What to Do If You Think That You Have Been Prescribed the Wrong Dose of Coumadin?

If you have started to experience the common signs of Coumadin overdose or side effects that could be related to the mismanagement of your dosage of this medication, you need to make sure that you seek medical care immediately. Once you have been stabilized by medical professionals, you might be wondering what you can do to seek compensation for your injuries.

If you think that your dosage is wrong or that you have not been monitored carefully enough as you started taking Coumadin, you need to reach out to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer today. Your lawyer can help you to seek compensation for your injuries and help with your medical bills, as well as compensation for your pain and suffering. Coumadin-related injuries can have a long-term impact on a person’s health, and you will want to be sure that these long-term health concerns are taken into consideration for your case.

Your lawyer will be able to help you to seek the right compensation for your injuries and can advise you about the best course of action to pursue with regard to a medical malpractice lawsuit against your doctor. This is not always possible in cases where your Coumadin dosage was not managed correctly, but your lawyer can help you to seek this kind of remedy if you desire to do so. Doctors should be held accountable for their mistakes that injure patients and impact their ability to live full and active lives.

Work With a Skilled Lawyer

If you have been injured due to an incorrect dose of Coumadin or mismanagement of your Coumadin regimen, reach out to us today. At The Grant Law Office, our skilled lawyers can help you to seek compensation for your injuries and also potentially seek remedy for your doctor’s malpractice. We are the leading law firm for Coumadin-related injuries in Atlanta, and we have a wealth of knowledge in this area.

Contact us today at (404) 620-4123 to get scheduled for your free consultation so that we can determine how best to support your case. You deserve compensation for your damages, and we can help you to get it.