WELCOME TO THE FEIRING CLINIC - LHL

TREATMENT WITH MAREVAN
(WARFARIN)
Once your artificial heart valve has been surgically implanted you will be
prescribed MAREVAN. You will be taking the tablets permanently in order to
prevent blood clots (thrombosis) occurring.
How MAREVAN works:
Marevan contains the active ingredient Warfarin. The body needs Vitamin K
in order for the blood to coagulate. The usual sources of Vitamin K are green
vegetables. Some Vitamin K is also stored in intestinal bacteria. Marevan negates
some of the effect of Vitamin K, thus reducing the ability of the blood to clot.
Dosage:
The effect of Marevan varies from person to person. It is therefore necessary to
adapt dosage to the individual patient. This is why you will need to have regular
blood samples taken by your doctor to check if your Marevan dosage needs
adjusting.
The full daily dose of Marevan must be taken at the same time each day, usually in
the evenings.
INR measuring unit for blood clotting ability (INR is an international measuring
unit).
Your INR value should be in the 2.5-3.5.
INR values above 5.0 indicate an increase in the risk of bleeding.
As Marevan reduces the coagulating ability of the blood, bleeding can incur.
The risk of bleeding rises in accordance with higher INR values. If you notice
an abnormal or unusual tendency to bleed in accordance with minor cuts, when
shaving, cleaning your teeth, nosebleeds, beneath the skin (large blue areas where
you have not sustained a blow or injury), you should contact your doctor and have
a new INR value check carried out. Such occurrences of bleeding can indicate
that the effect of your Marevan treatment is too strong, and there may be a
danger of internal haemorrhaging (bleeding). This is extremely rare, but can be
dangerous. Internal haemorrhaging will often show up as blood in urine or black
stools.