Taking Warfarin For Rheumatic Heart Disease

How to take warfarin for rheumatic heart disease

The information on this page is from the handout Warfarin patient information (PDF, 4.76MB) by Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand. Share or print a PDF version of the booklet in your preferred language.

Warfarin patient information in English (PDF, 4.76MB).

Warfarin patient information in te reo Māori (PDF, 4.51MB).

Warfarin patient information in Samoan (PDF, 4,76MB).

Warfarin patient information in Tongan (PDF, 4.79MB).

You can also see the warfarin guide for rheumatic heart disease on KidsHealth

Steps to taking wafarin for rheumatic heart disease

Warfarin stops clots forming or getting bigger.

The right dose = the right INR.

Too high - may bleed.

Too low - won't work. 

Take your tablets at the same time every evening.

Your doctor or nurse will tell you how many tablets to take and when to go for your next blood test.

Call a health profesional if any of the following happen:

• any unusual bleeding or bruising
• severe unexplained pain
• fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, infection
• becoming pregnant
• missed doses

Other medicines can affect warfarin.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor about all your medicines.

Mix your green vegetables with other coloured vegetables.

This does not apply if you are on dialysis. You must consult with a dietitian. 

Phone your health professional for your INR results on the day of your blood test.

Take the recommended dose until your next bloos test.

Follow 3 steps when taking warfarin

1. Keep to your scheduled date and time for your blood test.
2. Call ________ that same afternoon and request your INR result.
3. Take the prescribed dose of warfarin at the same time each evening with a glass of water. 
   Record that the dose has been taken - you could make a cross on a calendar.