A Clearinghouse for Information about Blood Clots (DVT/)PE) and Clotting Disorders (thrombophilia) provided as a public service by the University of North Carolina Blood Research Center

Category: Blood thinners (anticoagulants)

  • INR Self-Testing

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… A detailed, practical discussion on INR self-testing for patients is available here, addressing: Reasons to do INR self-testing Which patients are suitable What INR home monitoring devices are available Whether the devices give reliable INR results Whether insurance companies pay for them

  • How Often Should the INR be Tested?

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Traditionally, INR testing in patients on warfarin has been recommended by anticoagulation providers in the U.S. to be done at least once every 4 weeks. However, a recent study showed that testing every 3 months is sufficient

  • INR Patient Self-Testing

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… INR testing in patients on warfarin is classically done in a physician’s office or anticoagulation clinic, via (a) i.v. blood draw and central lab testing, or (b) a finger-stick and testing on a POC (point-of-care) device. POC devices give reliable INR results

  • Xarelto and DVT – Approved in Europe

    Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) was approved in Europe today (Dec 19th, 2011) for patients with acute DVT. This is good news

  • Another New Blood Thinner FDA Approved : Xarelto (Rivaroxaban)

    Today the FDA approved Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) for irregular heart beat (= atrial fibrillation = a. fib).  The approved dose is 20 mg once daily.  The link to the FDA press release is here.  The Xarelto prescribing information can be found here. Xarelto for Blood Clots in the Veins (DVT and PE)

  • Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Approved For A. Fib

    Today the FDA approved Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) for atrial fibrillation.  The approved dose is 20 mg once daily. The link to the FDA press release is here.  The Xarelto prescribing information can be found here. Xarelto for Venous Thromboembolism Xarelto is NOT approved at this point for treatment of DVT or PE

  • Alcohol and Warfarin or Pradaxa

    A patient may ask: “I am on warfarin.  Is it o.k. for me to drink alcohol?  Does alcohol intake increase the INR?”   Does drinking alcohol change the INR in the patient on warfarin?

  • Alcohol and Blood Thinners (Warfarin, Pradaxa)

    A patient may ask: “I am on warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).  Is it o.k. for me to drink alcohol?  Does alcohol intake increase the INR?” Does drinking alcohol change the INR in the patient on warfarin?