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Anticoagulant Therapy (Warfarin)

Warfarin
Introduction Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. It is very useful, because in like heparins, it can be taken orally. Warfarin acts on the extrinsic pathway, whilst heparin acts on the intrinsic pathway. Warfarin efficacy is measured using INR which utilises prothrombin time; prothrombin time is a measurement of the extrinsic pathway. Remember that the extrinsic pathway produces a bit of fibrin quickly whilst the intrinsic pathway produces large amounts but takes a while to get going. Thus the PT, which is a measurement of how quickly a small clot forms, relies on the extrinsic pathway. INR the internal normalised ratio. This is basically a comparison of the patients clotting ability compared to the average of the population. It is a ratio of the patients PT (prothrombin time)to that of the average PT and as a result, this test only looks at the extrinsic clotting pathway. You can use it to look at liver function, warfarin dose and vitamin K status.

The ISI is a different value for different drugs, but is normally between 1.0 and 2.0. The normal INR value is between 0.9 and 1.3. When someone is on warfarin therapy, the target is usually between 2-4 but may vary for individuals. i.e. this basically means the target when on warfarin therapy is to have a prothrombin time 2-4x greater than that of the average person Patients on warfarin (and other vit K antagonists) need to have individualised doses, and this means the treatment in both inconvenient and has a low margin of safety.

Mechanism It inhibits the enzymatic reduction of vitamin K to its active form hydroquinone. It competitively binds to the enzymes involved. The effect of warfarin takes several days to develop because of the half-lives of already activated factors.
By preventing the activation of vitamin K, warfarin reduces the production of factors II, VII, IX and X.

Pharmacokinetics Absorbed rapidly and completely from the gut Binds well to albumin Peak time of action is about 48 hours after administration, but peak concentration in the blood is about an hour after administration o For immediate effect anti-coagulation, you have to give HEPARIN for the first few days of warfarin therapy The effect on prothrombin time is initially seen after 12-16 hours, and lasts approximately 45 days. Half life is very variable, but is on average about 40 hours It crosses the placenta, and is teratogenic thus it should not be given in pregnancy at all! In the early stages it can causes defects, and in the later stages it can cause haemorrhages in the foetus itself usuallyintracranial haemorrhage. It is metabolised by the cytochrome P450 system thus it interacts with many drugs making administration and monitoring of dosage more difficult.

Warfarin is monitored by using the prothrombin time (PT), which is expressed as the INR. The dose of warfarin is adjusted to give an INR of 2-4

Unwanted effects Haemorrhage this is especially common to the bowel and brain. This can be counteracted by the administration of vitamin K, or giving fresh plasma containing clotting factors. Teratogenicity (meaning it causes birth defects) Necrosis of soft tissues this occurs mainly to tissues in the buttock and breast and is a result of thrombosis in venules. It generally occurs shortly after administration, and is a result of inhibition of synthesis of protein C which is another effect of warfarin, and which happens more quickly than the inhibition of activation of vit K. thus for a short time after the initial administration, patients are in a hypercoagulant state. This is rare, but serious. To combat this issue, treatment is usually started with heparin, before treatment with warfarin begins.

Interactions with warfarin Things that potentiate the effects of warfarin Disease Liver disease this reduces the number of clotting factors produced (2,7,9,10 are affected) High metabolic rate; e.g. thyrotoxicosis and fever as these increase the rate at which clotting factors are degraded

Drugs Agents that inhibit hepatic metabolism such as many antifungals, and other specific drugs, including cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole, imipramine, metronidazole and amiodarone. Drugs that inhibit platelet function Aspirin and other NSAIDs as these inhibit platelet thromboxane synthesis. Also some antibiotics, including moxalactam and carbenicillin Drugs that displace warfarin from its binding site on albumin e.g. NSAIDs and chloral hydrate as this will increase the concentration of warfarin in plasma Drugs that inhibits synthesis of vitamin K such as the cephalosporins

O-DEVICES is a mnemonic you can use to remember drugs that inhibit the cytocrhome p450 enzyme system and thus increase the effects of warfarin: O Omperazole D Disulfiram E Erythromycin V Valproate I Isoniazid C Cimetidine + Ciprofloxacin E Ethanol (Acutely) S Sulphonamides

Things that decrease the effects of warfarin Physiological state / disease Pregnancy

Hypothyroidism where there is reduced metabolic rate, and thus reduced breakdown of coagulation factors

Drugs Vitamin K it is found in some vitamin preparations and some form of parenteral feeding Drugs that induce hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes this increases the degredation of warfarin. Examples include rifampicin, carbamazepine, barbiturates and griseofulvin

PC BRAS is a mnemonic you can use to remember drugs that induce the cytocrhome p450 enzyme system and thus decrease the effects of warfarin: P Phenytoin C Carbamazepine B Barbituates R Rifampicin A Alcohol (chronic use) S Sulphonylureas

Warfarin therapy Indication PE Proximal DVT Calf DVT Target INR (varies between Duration of therapy patients) >3 months for temporary risk factors asses the 2.5
factors at 3 monthly intervals >6 months if the risk factors are permanent

2.5

Minimum 6 weeks. Recommended: >3 months for temporary risk factors asses the factors at 3 monthly intervals >6 months if the risk factors are permanent >6 months with temporary RFs Long-term with permanent RFs Long-term Long-term Long-term Long-term
3 weeks before, and 4 weeks after cardioversion. The cardioversion may be cancelled on the day if the INR <2

Recurrence of DVT (when


not on warfarin)

2.5 3.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.0 2.5 2.5 2.5 - 3.5

Recurrence of DVT (whilst


on warfarin)

Inherited thrombophilia Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria Atrial fibrillation Cardioversion Mural thrombus Coronary thrombosis Artificial valves CABG/angioplasty/stents
Therapy regimens

Individually assessed Individually assessed Long-term NOT INDICATED

The initial PT will be measured and an individual dose will be calculated. In an emergency situation, this step may be skipped. Patients will usually take an initial dose of 5-10mg. Then they will have subsequent doses of 5mg. Often at day * in the INR is measured, but it is unlikely the dose will be altered at this stage as the INR is likely to be too low.

in patients requiring rapid anticoagulation, you can give 10mg/day for 2 days The maintenance dose is usually between 3-9mg. This needs to be taken at the same time every day. Monitoring the INR has to be monitored regularly: Until the target INR is reached, it needs to be monitored EVERY DAY. The target INR is reached when you have consistent INR values on 2 consecutive days Then you monitor 1-2 per week, until the week INR is stable. Now you can monitor every 6-12 weeks A change in the patients status, e.g. diagnosis of a new condition, requires more frequent monitoring. Monitoring is usually carried out at Anti-coagulant clinics. These may be available in primary or secondary centres Some patients may be able to self-monitor this involves some training, but is accurate, and more convenient for patients. This basically involves an electronic portable coagulation monitoring device e.g.coagucheckS. This looks a little bit like a glucose monitoring kit. Patients using such devices will still need regular checks at hospital to check they are using the device correctly, and managing their INR

General advice You should advice patients to: Take the prescribed dose at the same time every day Report and bruising or bleeding immediately Avoid pregnancy Avoid aspirin and other NSAIDs use alternative painkillers / drugs. Paracetomol also interferes with the metabolism of warfarin, and vice/versa. Advise patients they can take up to 6 paracetomol/day when on warfarin if they need further pain relief seek medical advice. Avoid contact sports and other activities with a high risk of (head) injury Alcohol can interfere with warfarin therapy, but general social/light drinking is ok. Patients should avoid bingeing. As long as they drink roughly the same amount from week to week, the impact on warfarin will be minimised Cranberry juicecan alter the metabolism of warfarin Drug interactions warfarin interacts with lots of drugs. Check with a pharmacist (or BNF) before prescribing to check conflicts with patients current medications. Tell the patient to speak to their doctor or pharmacistbefore taking any (including herbal) medications. Also ask the patient to inform every medical practicioner that they come into contact with that they are on warfarin. Macrolide antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin are a particularly common group of drugs that should be avoided whilst on warfarin.

Complications Severe haemorrhage e.g. GI bleed stop therapy immediately and admit to hospital Mild bleeding e.g. haematuria, epistaxis (nose bleed) stop warfarin and give IV vit K 510mg.

if the haemorrhage occurred with the INR in the therapeutic range, then you should consider underlying conditions as the cause; e.g. GIt pathology Abnormally high INR if the INR >8, then you should stop warfarin therapy and monitor the INR. It should fall naturally. Once it is below 5, you can start warfarin again. If there are additional RFs for bleeding, then you can give 5mg vit K IV. If the INR is still high after 24 hours, you can give another 5mg.

If the INR is 6-8, then stop warfarin, and restart when it is in the therapeutic range A high INR is often due to a drug interaction. Check. Interaction include: o Alcohol o Paracetomol o SSRIs o Lipid regulating drugs o Cranberry juice o Flu vaccine o St. Johns Wort o Allopurinol (treatment for gout) o Advise patients to check with pharmacists / alternative therapists when they start any new medications for interactions with warfarin o Changes in diet can also affect therapy particularly big changes involving salads and vegetables.

Stopping therapy Therapy can be abruptly stopped without any adverse affects. Rebound hypercoagulation does not occur. Special instances Surgery anticoagulants should be stopped before surgery. In those at particularly high risk, Heparin can be used short term. For dental surgery, as long as the INR is in the therapeutic range, then no special measures need to be taken Cancer patients LWMH is better at reducing risk of embolism in these patients IV drug user LMWH is preferred due to difficulties in monitoring INR due to the lifestyle of these patients.

Nice to know Warfarin is named after the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation who discovered the drug after cows feed was changed in the USA, to contain sweet clover, and loads of cows died from haemorrhagic stroke.

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