Clot prevention--common questions about medications.
BACKGROUND
Warfarin is commonly used in a number of clinical settings. Given the difficulties in managing patients taking warfarin, several questions are usually raised by clinicians in relation to its use.


OBJECTIVE
This article addresses some of the clinical questions related to warfarin use.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine genetic testing before warfarin initiation is not currently recommended. None of the new oral anticoagulants is marketed in Australia for long term therapy as warfarin substitutes. Strategies to prevent thrombosis associated with air travel are discussed and measures to minimise the risk of bleeding are highlighted.
Tadros
Rami
R
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia. rami.tadros@health.sa.gov.au
Shakib
Sepehr
S
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069604:Dabigatran; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D009025:Morpholines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D000069552:Rivaroxaban; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D065427:Factor Xa Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D009025:Morpholines; D011725:Pyridines; D013876:Thiophenes; D000069552:Rivaroxaban; D000069604:Dabigatran; D001241:Aspirin