Dicumarol
About
Dicumarol belongs to a class of drugs called 'anticoagulants' (blood thinners) used to prevent or treat blood clots of the blood vessels (arteries and veins). Dicumarol also reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other severe conditions. A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. Blood clots are formed to stop bleeding that occurs due to tissue injury. Though blood clots are useful to stop bleeding, they are harmful when abnormally formed within blood vessels as they block blood vessels and inhibit blood flow to essential organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs.
Dicumarol contains Dicumarol which works by inhibiting the production of clotting factors by decreasing the action of vitamin K. Thereby, prevents the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin (a protein that binds platelets together and forms a clot) and helps in preventing blood clots formation.
Take Dicumarol was prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Dicumarol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Some people may experience unusual bleeding. Most of these side effects of Dicumarol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Dicumarol or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Avoid taking Dicumarol if you are pregnant as it may cause congenital disabilities. You are recommended to use effective birth control measures while taking Dicumarol and for 1 month after stopping Dicumarol from preventing pregnancy. Please consult a doctor before using Dicumarol if you are breastfeeding. Dicumarol should be used with caution in the elderly above 65 years of age as they may be at high risk of bleeding. If you are about to undergo any surgery on the brain, eye, or spine, inform your doctor that you are taking Dicumarol. Extra care must be taken while brushing your teeth or shaving to prevent bleeding.
Uses of Dicumarol
Medicinal Benefits
Dicumarol contains Dicumarol, an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used to prevent or treat blood clots in arteries or veins. Dicumarol inhibits the production of clotting factors by decreasing the action of vitamin K. Thereby, prevents the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin (a protein that binds platelets together and forms a clot) and helps in preventing blood clot formation. Also, Dicumarol reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other serious conditions due to blood clots.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dicumarol
- Unusual bleeding
- A Change In Vision
- Blurred Vision
- Decreased Appetite
- Gas
- Hair Loss
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Dicumarol or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, blood cell disorder (low platelets or low red blood cells), bleeding in the stomach or intestines, had a stroke, kidney, liver or bleeding problems, stomach ulcer, inform your doctor before taking Dicumarol. Avoid taking Dicumarol if you are pregnant as it may cause birth defects. You are recommended to use effective birth control measures while taking Dicumarol and for 1 month after stopping Dicumarol to prevent pregnancy. Please consult a doctor before using Dicumarol if you are breastfeeding. Dicumarol should be used with caution in the elderly above 65 years of age as they may be at high risk of bleeding. If you are about to undergo any surgery on the brain, eye, or spine, inform your doctor that you are taking Dicumarol. Extra care must be taken while brushing your teeth or shaving to prevent bleeding. If you notice bleeding gums, blood in urine, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, pain, swelling, dizziness, weakness, unusual bruising, nose bleeds, abnormal vaginal bleeding or heavy menstrual periods, bloody or tarry stools, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be signs of bleeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Dicumarol may have interaction with painkillers (acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac), antidepressants (duloxetine), antifungals (fluconazole, miconazole, ketoconazole), antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, griseofulvin, metronidazole, norfloxacin, rifampicin, nalidixic acid, tetracycline), gout medicine (allopurinol), water tablets (spironolactone), vitamin K supplements.
Drug-Food Interaction: Dicumarol may interact with cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, noni juice, pomegranate juice, and green tea. Also, Dicumarol may interact with St. John’s wort (herbal medicine for depression), garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, echinacea, goldenseal, and coenzyme 10. Avoid foods rich in vitamin K such as coriander, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, collard greens, kale (leaf cabbage), black licorice, turnip greens, avocados, and brussels sprouts as they may affect the activity of Dicumarol. Also, avoid alcohol intake as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, blood cell disorder (low platelets or low red blood cells), bleeding in stomach or intestines, had a stroke, kidney, liver or bleeding problems, stomach ulcer, inform your doctor before taking Dicumarol.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid consumption of alcohol with Dicumarol as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Pregnancy
unsafeDicumarol is not recommended during pregnancy, as it may cause birth defects. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Dicumarol is excreted in human milk. Therefore, it is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
safe if prescribedDicumarol usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Dicumarol with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Dicumarol with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionDicumarol should be given to children only if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do not make any changes in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
- Avoid vitamin K-rich foods such as coriander, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, collard greens, kale (leaf cabbage), black licorice, turnip greens, avocados, and Brussels sprouts as they may decrease the effectiveness of Dicumarol.
- Avoid cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, noni juice, pomegranate juice, and green tea as they may interact with Dicumarol and lead to unwanted side effects.
- Do the regular exercise as it helps to dissolve blood clots, especially in obese people.
- Avoid the consumption of alcohol as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are advised while taking Dicumarol to monitor blood clotting time.
- Consult your doctor if you observe unusual bruising, bleeding from gums during brushing or blood in urine or stools.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
A blood clot is a clump of blood that has changed from a liquid to a gel-like or semisolid state. Blood clots are formed to stop bleeding that occurs due to tissue injury. Though blood clots are useful to stop bleeding, they may be harmful when abnormally formed within blood vessels as they block blood vessels and inhibit blood flow to essential organs such as the brain, heart, or lungs and result in serious conditions. The common risk factors for blood clots are obesity, smoking, cancer, family history of blood clots, aged over 65 years, certain birth control pills, or pregnancy. If you experience chest pressure, sudden shortness of breath, or difficulty in breathing, speaking, or seeing, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be symptoms of blood clots. Quick medication is advised to reduce the risk of serious conditions due to blood clots.
FAQs
Dicumarol contains Dicumarol, an anticoagulant (blood thinner) that inhibits the production of clotting factors by decreasing the action of vitamin K. Thereby, prevents conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin (a protein that binds platelets together and forms a clot) and helps in preventing blood clots formation.
You are not recommended to take aspirin with Dicumarol as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of stomach bleeding. However, if you notice blood in urine or stools, dizziness, unusual bleeding or bruising, vomiting, weakness or headache, please consult a doctor immediately. If you are supposed to use these medicines together, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted appropriately to use safely.
It is recommended to avoid vitamin K rich foods such as coriander, red cabbage, spinach, broccoli, collard greens, kale (leaf cabbage), black liquorice, turnip greens, avocados, parsley, brussels sprouts and green tea as they may decrease the effectiveness of Dicumarol. Also, avoid intake of cranberry juice, grapefruit juice, green tea and alcohol as they increase the risk of bleeding.
Dicumarol should be used with caution in diabetic patients as they may be at increased risk of bleeding. Regular blood tests are advised to monitor blood clotting time while taking Dicumarol and if you have diabetes, inform your doctor before taking Dicumarol.
You are usually not advised to have a tattoo or body piercing while taking Dicumarol as it may increase the risk of bleeding and infection. If you still wish to proceed further, contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted or any antibiotics may be prescribed and let the piercer or tattooist know in advance that you are on treatment with a blood thinner.
You may be advised to stop taking Dicumarol 5 to 7 days before surgery or any dental procedure as Dicumarol may increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, before having a dental procedure or any surgery, please inform your doctor that you are taking Dicumarol.