Acenocoumarol is used to treat or prevent blood clotting disorders.
Take Acenocoumarol exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Acenocoumarol must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following:
- blood disorders
- stomach ulcers, especially when there's bleeding from a stomach ulcer
- recent surgery or going for an operation, including minor surgery and dental work
- bleeding in the brain
- severe high blood pressure
- severe liver disease
- severe kidney disease
- infection of the heart valves
- inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart
as Acenocoumarol may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. You may wish to discuss birth control methods with your doctor or pharmacist.
Inform your doctor if you have the following:
- tuberculosis or TB
- thyroid disease
- vitamin K deficiency
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Do not take part in activities in which you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Report all falls and injuries -- especially head injuries and including even minor head trauma -- to your doctor. There could be internal bleeding which may not be obvious to you.
Why do I need to have blood tests done so often?
For as long as you are taking Acenocoumarol, you will need to have regular blood tests to check your body's response to the medicine. This blood test is called an INR (International Normalised Ratio). The INR measures how much time your blood takes to clot. Each person has his or her own target INR result. Your doctor will discuss with you about your target INR result.
You will need to have an INR blood test done more often in the first few days or weeks, so that your doctor can monitor your response to Acenocoumarol and a suitable dose can be customised for you. Acenocoumarol doses will vary for different people as each person's physical condition is different.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
Acenocoumarol may cause you to bleed more easily. Notify your doctor if you have:
- unusual bleeding, especially excessive bleeding or bleeding that takes a long time to stop
- gum or nose bleeding that takes a longer than usual time to stop
- unusual bruises, especially if the bruises appear by themselves or if they cover a large area
- heavier than usual menstrual flow or any other changes in the menstrual flow
Inform your doctor if the bleeding does not go away or is severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other blood-thinning medicines e.g. clopidogrel, dipyridamole
- antibiotics e.g. amoxicillin, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline
- medicines for heart disease e.g. amiodarone, quinidine
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. fluconazole, ketoconazole
- medicines for high cholesterol level in the blood e.g. simvastatin, atorvastatin
- medicines for depression and anxiety e.g. citalopram, fluoxetine
- medicines that inhibit stomach acid production e.g. cimetidine, omeprazole
- medicines for epilepsy (seizures or fits) e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Acenocoumarol.
This medicine should not be taken with antacids as antacids could reduce the effectiveness of this medicine. If you must take antacids, take between meals at least 2 hours after you have taken Acenocoumarol.
Acenocoumarol should also not be taken at the same time as colestyramine. Colestyramine could reduce the effectiveness of this medicine when taken at the same time. If you are taking colestyramine, take Acenocoumarol at least 4 to 6 hours after you have taken colestyramine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics, such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid eating large amounts of egg, beef, pork liver, green tea, alfalfa, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, spinach, brussel sprouts, turnip greens as these foods are high in vitamin K and can lessen the effectiveness of Acenocoumarol.
Avoid alcohol, St. John's wort and cranberry juice.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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