NursingNotes
  • login
  • signup
  • Latest News
  • Clinical Updates
  • Professional
  • Education
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
NursingNotes
No Result
View All Result

Home > News > Clinical

Anticoagulated patients with COVID-19 symptoms need increased INR monitoring

Patients are being asked to inform their GP or anticoagulation service if they test positive for the virus. 


13 October 2020
Warfarin

Shutterstock

A study has warned of elevated international normalised ratios in COVID patients.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today issued guidance recommending increased monitoring for anticoagulated patients with COVID-19 symptoms.



Healthcare professionals are warned to undertake close blood monitoring of patients taking warfarin or any other vitamin K antagonist (such as acenocoumarol (‘Sinthrome’) or phenindione (‘Dindevan’)) and have developed an additional illness such as COVID-19.

Research undertaken by King’s College Hospital in London raises concerns over an apparent increase in the number of patients taking warfarin found to have elevated international normalised ratio (INR) values during the COVID-19 pandemic (Speed et al 2020).

Switching patients from a Vitamin K agonist to a DOAC is suggested as a consideration by the study, depending on suitability.

Patients are being asked to inform their GP or anticoagulation service if they test positive for the virus.


Potential drug interactions.

The MHRA also reminds prescribers of the potential for drug interactions between some anticoagulant tablets and medicines used to treat infections, for example, antivirals or antibiotics (such as doxycycline, amoxicillin or clarithromycin, which may interact with warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists). Other anticoagulant tablets (including apixaban (‘Eliquis’), dabigatran (‘Pradaxa’), edoxaban (‘Lixiana’) or rivaroxaban (‘Xarelto’) can also interact with certain medicines.

These drug interactions can potentially increase the blood-thinning effect of some anticoagulants and lead to a higher risk of bleeding.

Sarah Branch, Director of Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines at the MHRA, said: “Patient safety is our main priority and it is important that patients taking blood thinners continue to be monitored carefully as we all coordinate responses to COVID-19.

“We are working closely with other healthcare partners to protect public health in the UK. Please continue to follow NHS COVID-19 advice and communicate with your GP and healthcare team to manage your treatment.”




Popular

Patient face mask in GP

GP practices can now deregister patients for ‘unrealistic service demands’

2 June 2022

student nurse staff nurse

Student nurses ‘used and abused’ on placements

13 June 2022

RCN

Nursing staff demand immediate review of ‘not fit for purpose’ Agenda for Change pay and conditions

8 June 2022

Insight

Busy A&E waiting room

‘The NHS is having its worst winter ever – and the reasons run much deeper than COVID’

28 January 2022

Hospital curtain intensive care

‘During the Downing Street Christmas Party we were caring for dying patients and forbidden from seeing family’

8 December 2021

Vaccine inPPE

‘Making vaccination compulsory for NHS frontline workers likely to make patients suffer’

19 November 2021


Related Posts

Shutterstock
Clinical

Naloxone kits could be issued to police officers, prison officers and pharmacists

3 August 2021
Oxygen gauge
Clinical

Warning issued after numerous incidents of oxygen tubing being connected to air flowmeters rather than oxygen

18 June 2021
neodymium magnets squares, black background
Clinical

Warning issued around the ingestion of ‘super strong’ neodymium magnets often found in toys

21 May 2021
NursingNotes

© 2019 NursingNotes.co.uk

Navigate Site

  • Who are we?
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Agenda for Change Pay Scales

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • Clinical
  • Education
  • Health Politics
  • Opinion
  • Resources

© 2019 NursingNotes.co.uk