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Study highlights need to improve patients' warfarin knowledge

Norwegian nurse researcher found lack of awareness about factors that could interfere with the drug's use 

Health professionals must do more to inform patients taking warfarin of the food and drugs that could interfere with their medication, according to a nurse researcher.

Kjersti Oterhals, from Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Norway presented the findings of a study at the EuroHeartCare 2016 conference in Greece today (April 15). 

She told delegates: ‘Warfarin is a life-saving drug but can be deadly if not used carefully. Healthcare professionals have a responsibility to educate patients but, unfortunately, even cardiac nurses do not know enough. There is an urgent need to improve warfarin knowledge among staff.’

Professor Oterhals' study of 404 people with aortic stenosis, who were taking warfarin, found that they lacked understanding of the interfering factors that could cause potentially dangerous side effects, and when to seek urgent medical help.

‘Patients need to know what foods and drugs have an impact on how warfarin works, and what to do if they have symptoms of an overdose or underdose,’ she concluded.