Alexian Anticoagulation Clinic at Alexian Pharmacy Services

The Alexian Anticoagulation Clinic provides convenient care for patients taking the life-saving drug warfarin (Coumadin). This medication controls the blood's ability to clot and are prescribed to prevent a harmful clot from forming. Having a pharmacist monitor the drug your physician has prescribed can prevent complications.

You may need warfarin if you've been diagnosed with one of the following conditions:

• Abnormal heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation
• Mechanical heart valve replacement
• Formation of a clot deep within a vein, called deep venous thromboembolism (DVT)
• Formation of a clot within a lung artery, called pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Formation of a clot within a blood vessel in the brain that could lead to a stroke or transcient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Damage of the heart due to poor blood supply from a heart attack or myocardial infarction
• Hip or knee replacement

Because warfarin doses vary from person to person, your pharmacist and physician closely monitor your condition to ensure that the prescribed dose is right for you. Your Pharmacist and physician will determine how long you will need to take the medication. Some patients, such as those with a valve replacement or abnormal heart rhythm may take warfarin indefinitely. Others, such as those who have a clot in the legs or lungs, may be on warfarin for three months to the year.