Warfarin and levofloxacin

[Mallard]

I am so glad I fly home tomorrow, I feel like warfarin has spoiled my holiday- not only did my inr rocket to 5.4 but couple days ago I developed a terrible chest infection so got some antibiotics from the pharmacy- 2 days in read the side effects with warfarin and that particular antibiotic as not recommended - so I now have stopped both until I get home as my inr jumped to 3.7 from 2.2. Best wishes and sorry to moan.

[Hidden]

Don't be sorry to moan. It's better to get things out in the open than let them fester.

[daisyd]

How long have you stopped taking your warfarin, I would say that I wouldn’t stop it for more than a day if you have you may need to have an injection of clexane or heparin type drug to cover you.

[Mallard in reply to daisyd]

Yesterday stopped but resuming 5mg today - as flying later and have stopped the antibiotics. Thanks daisyd

[Mallard]

I love my little machine I feel it has paid for itself this holiday as the medical centre wanted £30 euro a blood test, plus it's about 5 miles away.

[daisyd]

I have a coaguchex machine expensive to buy but the best thing I have ever bought

[misswoosie]

It was probably the infection that made your INR go to 5.4. I don;t understand why you stopped your warfarin if your INR fell to 2.2?

[Mallard in reply to misswoosie]

Hi misswoosie you are right it was the infection causing the jump. It was the other way around I stopped because it was 3.7 and it had been a steady 2.2, sorry if I wasn't clear. I only stopped for 1 day and back to by normal dose thereafter. Best wishes

[misswoosie]

Thought it would be. Any "illness" can mess up your INR. I did wonder if you meant it had gone from 2.2 to 3.7. Remember that missing a dose will show up in your INR 3 days later. I think maybe for an INR of 3.7 I would have maybe just taken a lower dose of say 3mg rather than miss a dose completely,especially as you also stopped the antibiotic that was affecting the INR. 3.7 isn't outrageous.

[Mallard in reply to misswoosie]

I know now, back then I was new to warfarin and anything above 3 scared me - I thought I would haemorrhage if provoked, also I was abroad away from medical facilities. I think with time like everything else comes confidence. I am completely off warfarin now as I was only on it for 6 months, but I wouldn't be so nervous to use it in the future. Best wishes