Best machine for home monitoring warfarin levels

[Wigg2]

Can you please suggest the best machine to check warfarin level

[Shar28]

Hello, NICE recommends the Coagucheck XS, which you can buy privately from Roche. It’s vat-free. The lancets and test sticks should be given on prescription by your GP/anticoagulantion clinic but anecdotally this is a bit hit and miss. If they’re resistant to home testing and doing you a prescription you may need to show them the NICE guidelines. Here’s a couple of useful links

nice.org.uk/guidance/dg14

nice.org.uk/sharedlearning/...

Best wishes

[Wigg2 in reply to Shar28]

Thanks so much for your reply , that’s so helpful

[Breesha in reply to Shar28]

I have used Coaguchek for years , brilliant , but I am amazed you were put on Warfarin , instead of Apixaban or Edoxaban , was any reason given .I am a fan of Warfarin after reactions taking others but there seems to be an anti warfarin push as it’s labour intensive for NHS.

[Shar28 in reply to Breesha]

Hello. The new anticoagulants aren’t available for people with mechanical valves, only warfarin. It’s the same in the USA, EU etc.

[road2ruin]

Hi, I use the coagucheck machine from Roche. It works great and has kept me in range for years. I get the lancets on prescription, but not the test strips. They are about £72 for 24, which is over a year for me. I still go into the surgery from time to time for a check. My next apt for example is not until July.

[Wigg2 in reply to road2ruin]

Thanks for your reply ok I will see what my practice say about it

[Boblell]

I bought one from an well known auction site and get the strips on prescription (they are about £4 each). I have to have it tested every 6 months in the coag clinic at my nearest hospital.

[Wigg2 in reply to Boblell]

Thanks for your reply

[Anon2023]

Hi. I’ve just bought a coaguchek machine direct from Williams medical supplies as Roche are no longer selling them directly and have teamed up with Williams. It cost £299. The testing strips are £74 for 24. The lancets are £2 for 50. My gp won’t prescribe them on the basis that they are already providing a testing service via the warfarin clinic.

The email address for Williams medical is [e-mail]

[Wigg2 in reply to Anon2023]

Thanks so much for your reply , I reckon my practice will say the same

[Wigg2 in reply to Wigg2]

Also someone mentioned about calibration of the machine ? How do we stand with that ?

[Mariawatters]

Hi my son Shane had a new mechanical valve fitted in December . We live in the U.K. We were asking his consultant today about Warfarin check machines and the great news we got is they are available free on the NHS and all strips are free on prescription! I hope this is the same with you

[Still_Breathing in reply to Mariawatters]

Hi Maria,

I too had a mechanical fitted in August last year and was put on Warfarin.

My INR once settled has been constant until 2 weeks ago and now it drops below the limit then retested a few days later and its back to normal, test a few days later and its dropped again .......

Any way how did you get the monitor via the NHS? and do you adjust the dosage accordingly after a readin?

TIA

Neil

[Wigg2]

Ash thanks for the reply I have to one of the nurses at my practice about it Just hoping it will be the same for me

[Wigg2 in reply to Wigg2]

I mean I’ve asked and she told me to get in touch with Dr but thinks it might be some strips on prescription