Health Conditions

Patients who take warfarin should have their International Normalized Ratio (INR) monitored frequently throughout the duration of their therapy. An INR indirectly indicates the amount of time it takes for your blood to clot. There are specific INR values that are optimal for treatment of DVT. Your doctor can tell you what your specific goal is.

• For prevention and treatment of a current DVT, an INR value in the range of 2 to 3 with a goal of 2.5 is desired.

• If a person has other medical conditions (for example, a mechanical heart valve), the INR value in the range of 2.5 to 3.5, with a goal of 3.0 is desired.

It is extremely important to have your INR regularly monitored for the following reasons. Too much warfarin could potentially increase your INR and as a result, put you at risk for excess bleeding. On the other hand, too little warfarin could potentially decrease your INR and put you at risk for developing a clot.

Make sure you have your INR initially monitored twice during the first week you begin treatment. Then once your INR has stabilized, have your INR monitored every 4-6 weeks or more often (as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist) if the INR is not within goal range.

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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.