Question

A female admitted with a possible Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), smokes one pack per day and is on birth control, history of hypertension and obesity getting heparin drip in hospital, the Provider is anticipating on sending her home with Coumadin. can Coumadin and Heparin be giving at the same time?

Answer 1

Answer:

Yes, both Coumadin and Heparin can be given at the same time.

Explanation:

Both Coumadin and Heparin can be given at the same time. Heparin is is a blood thinner (anti-coagulant) used to prevent and treat blood clots.The patient has been diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) which is the formation of blood clot in a vein located deep in the body (usually the lower thigh or leg). The heparin drip she is being administered will help treat the blood clot

Coumadin is also an anticoagualnt and is used for treating blood clotts. However, it takes days (about 3-4) before the treatment starts to work. It stops the synthesis of the four vitamin K–dependent clotting factors in the liver (factors II, VII, IX, X).

Both Heparin and Coumadin are overlapped for at least five days as they work differently. The Heparin is discontinued after anticoagulation occurs and the client starts to be treated with coumadin.

Answer 2

Answer:

She can be given both Coumadin and Heparin at the same time; however, it is advisable to first administer Heparin because it works faster and has a higher ability (as a blood thinner or anticoagulant) to start making immediate impact in preveningt deep vein thrombosis (DVT). After Heparin medication commences, it should be overlapped with Coumadin for a minimum of five days because Coumadin takes between three and four days before it becomes effective or therapeutic; it doesn’t make an immediate impact as fast as Heparin. On the long run, once the anticoagulant effect is established, medication of Heparin can be halted, while medication of Coumadin can be increased.