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Fortunately, in many cases the correct dosage can be easily found and kept constant. But some patients have a prothrombin time which varies very greatly and inexplicably. This means the dosage has to be altered frequently.
If there is an alarming haemorrhage the dose has to be radically changed - and quickly. Possibly, the doctor will have to give an injection of a certain vitamin and then start all over again finding the right dose.
There are two things the patient and his relatives must remember: never forget an appointment for the taking of a blood sample and never take other drugs without permission. A remarkable number of drugs affect the prothrombin time very greatly, especially some sedatives and aspirin.
For many sudden crises anticoagulants are extremely valuable - for example, they are used after heart operations. However, the decision to use them for very long periods, for instance, after a patient has had a stroke or a coronary attack, is a difficult one to make and experts are not always agreed.Teacher: Michael
Many articles taken from 'A word with the doctor', by Dr. John Windsor.
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