 |
| Drivers...
Say No To Coumadin |
| By JD
Nutt - This report was last updated:
10.29.2011 |
| If
you are a professional driver and prescribed
"Coumadin" or a derivative their of such as
Warfarin, or Jantoven you could be suspended from your
duties for a period of thirty days. This is a mandate
by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration
and Department of Transportation Medical
guidelines. |
|
| Why is this medication prescribed? |
| Coumadin aka Warfarin
aka Jantoven is used to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger in your blood and blood vessels. It is prescribed for people with certain types of irregular heartbeat, people with prosthetic (replacement or mechanical) heart valves, and people who have suffered a heart attack. Warfarin is also used to treat or prevent venous thrombosis (swelling and blood clot in a vein) and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung). Warfarin is in a class of medications called anticoagulants ('blood thinners'). It works by decreasing the clotting ability of the blood. |
Carl Pfeiffer,
M.D., stated, There is a nutritional alternative for most drugs. You have to dig a bit for the details, but the work has been done. You will find very few negative effects from vitamins in the
PDR, but you will see column after column and page after page of side effects, contraindications and warnings for drugs. For example, I give you Coumadin.
You can often use vitamin E instead. Vitamin E potentiates the effects of Coumadin (Warfarin sodium), and at up to 3,200 IU or less daily, it can completely and safely substitute for the drug. That is just plain true. I've seen it again and again.
|
| Their are alternatives to these
drugs... |
A new blood thinner
might be a viable alternative to warfarin (Coumadin), the standard for decades to treat patients with the dangerous heart rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation.
In research presented Monday at the American Heart Association's annual meeting in Chicago, researchers reported that rivaroxaban (Xarelto) proved to be just as good as warfarin, and possibly superior.
Rivaroxaban also reduced the risk of serious bleeding events, which is the most troubling side effect of warfarin. Dabigatran (Pradaxa), another newer-generation blood thinner, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat atrial fibrillation last month. |
|
Coumadin can cause internal bleeding... |
|
One of the worst thing coumadin can cause is internal bleeding. If that happens close to the skin, you get a darkening or bruising of the skin but it can happen anywhere in the body and this is because it's inhibiting your body's ability to repair bleeding problems. |
|
FMCSA/DOT §391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers.
Subpart E - Physical qualifications and examinations |
Question 8: Is the use of coumadin, an anticoagulant, an automatic disqualification for drivers operating CMVs in interstate commerce?
Guidance: No. Although the FHWA 1987 ‘‘Conference on Cardiac Disorders and Commercial Drivers’’ recommended that drivers who are taking anticoagulants not be allowed to drive, the agency has not adopted a rule to that effect. The medical examiner and treating specialist may, but are not required to, accept the Conference recommendations. Therefore, the use of coumadin is not an automatic disqualification, but a factor to be considered in determining the driver’s physical qualification status. |
|
Warning
on Warfarin/Coumadin/Jantoven |
Warfarin may cause severe bleeding that can be life-threatening and even cause death. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a blood or bleeding disorder; bleeding problems, especially in your stomach or your esophagus (tube from the throat to the stomach), intestines, urinary tract or bladder, or lungs; high blood pressure; heart attack; angina (chest pain or pressure); heart disease; pericarditis (swelling of the lining (sac) around the heart); endocarditis (infection of one or more heart valves); a stroke or
ministroke; aneurysm (weakening or tearing of an artery or vein); anemia (low number of red blood cells in the blood); cancer; chronic diarrhea; or kidney, or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you fall often or have had a recent serious injury or surgery. Bleeding is more likely during warfarin treatment for people over 65 years of age, and it is also more likely during the first few weeks of warfarin treatment. Bleeding is also more likely to occur for people who take high doses of
warfarin, or take this medication for a long time. The risk for bleeding while taking warfarin is also higher for people participating in an activity or sport that may result in serious injury. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or plan to take any prescription or nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal or botanical products (See SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS), as some of these products may increase the risk for bleeding while you are taking
warfarin. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: pain, swelling, or discomfort, bleeding from a cut that does not stop in the usual amount of time, nosebleeds or bleeding from your gums, coughing up or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, unusual bleeding or bruising, increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding, pink, red, or dark brown urine, red or tarry black bowel movements, headache, dizziness, or weakness.
Some people may respond differently to warfarin based on their heredity or genetic make-up. Your doctor may order a blood test to help find the dose of warfarin that is best for you. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain tests to check your body's response to
warfarin.
Warfarin prevents blood from clotting so it may take longer than usual for you to stop bleeding if you are cut or injured. Avoid activities or sports that have a high risk of causing injury. Call your doctor if bleeding is unusual or if you fall and get hurt, especially if you hit your head.
If your doctor tells you to stop taking warfarin, the effects of this medication may last for 2 to 5 days after you stop taking it.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with warfarin and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website
(http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm088578.pdf) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide.
Talk to your doctor about the risk(s) of taking warfarin.
|
|
|
|
| Report Sources: |
| http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Pfeiffer_(pharmacologist) |
| http://www.doctoryourself.com/drugalt.html |
| http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9185 |
| http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=391.41&guidence=Y |
| http://clotcare.org/ptinr.aspx |
| http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682277.html |
| http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2010/11/15/new-blood-thinner-a-promising-alternative-to-warfarin |
| http://healthread.net/coumadin.htm |
|
