AT STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
PLEASE INFORM YOUR NURSE PRACTITIONER OR PHYSICIAN IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
ISSUES OCCUR:
 Hit to the head
 Excessive bleeding after injury such as a cut, scrap, fall, or shaving incident
 Any bleeding that does not stop by itself with reasonable promptness
 Excessive menstrual bleeding
 The sudden appearance of “black and blue” spots on the skin
 Bleeding from the nose or mouth
 The appearance of red or dark brown urine
 The appearance of red or black bowel movements
IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THE ABOVE SYMPTOMS OR OTHER UNUSUAL BLEEDING, DO NOT
TAKE YOUR COUMADIN. CONTACT THE COUMADIN CENTER AND HEALTH CARE
PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY. IF AFTER OFFICE HOURS AND/ OR THE PROVIDER CANNOT BE
REACHED, SEEK IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY ROOM ATTENTION.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. For women of childbearing years: PREGNANCY MUST BE A PLANNED EVENT. AN
UNBORN CHILD MAY DIE OR HAVE BIRTH DEFECTS IF PREGNANCY OCCURS
WHILE TAKING WARFARIN.
2. Take the exact amount of anticoagulant tablets (Coumadin or Generic Warfarin) your Health Care
Provider prescribes. Take the tablets at the same time every day. DO NOT STOP taking it unless
your Provider tells you to do so.
3. Always be aware of the tablet size/ dose/ strength of anticoagulant tablets. There are many
different size and color pills. Knowing your daily dose will ensure safe and proper management of
your Coumadin therapy.
4. If you miss a dose of your anticoagulant tablet, DO NOT take an extra tablet to catch up.
5. Be aware that Coumadin and generic warfarin tablets represent the same medication. They ARE
NOT INTERCHANGEABLE. They SHOULD NOT be taken together.
6. As a SIUH Coumadin Center patient, coumadin (generic warfarin) dosage adjustments will be
managed by the nurse practitioners utilizing national guidelines and recommendations set forth by
the ACCP Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy 2001. When issues arise that require
a MD consult, your cardiologist, PCP, or referring physician will be contacted.
7. If you are taking any other medication, let your Provider know. DO NOT start or stop taking other
drugs without your Provider’s permission. This includes such common drugs such as aspirin, cold
preparations, multiple vitamins containing Vitamin K, and herbal medications.
8. Avoid any activity or sport that may result in traumatic injury.
9. Should you need dental work, surgery, or other invasive procedures inform The Coumadin Center
who manages your anticoagulant treatment, as well as the Provider who is treating your condition.
10. If you develop an infection, cold, or other illness, inform the Provider.
11. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking anticoagulant medication.
12. Avoid food fads, crash diets, and other pronounced changes in eating habits. If you start a diet
program directed by a nutritionist, physician or other agency such as Jenny Craig, Weight
Watchers, etc, inform us of such diet changes.
13 If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Coumadin Center at (718) 226-6231. If after
office hours and /or a provider cannot be reached, seek immediate emergency room attention.
I have read and understand the above instructions and general information.
Patient signature___________________________ Date_____________
SIUH 09/02
REVISED
12/05, 5/07,
11/10