Welcome to our Senior's Health Section.

We have set this section aside especially for you! Often many Senior's may feel no one cares about them. Well - we do, that is why we are providing this section especially for you!

We feel you need an area where you can read in plain language, non dramatic articles concerning your health and well being and this is what we are going to provide!

Please remember to check the Link in your City for Medical Supplies & Equipment. You will find there listings of your local suppliers who provide everything from walking sticks to motorised scooters.

How can I ensure I take My Medicine when I should?

There can be a lot to remember when taking medicines! Remember why you are taking your medicines! Remember the times it should be taken! And also how often you have to take it as well as the number of pills you need to take!
All these things you need to pay strict attention to.

It is just so important that you take your medicine correctly and in accordance with your Doctors advice. If you are in doubt after you leave your Doctor remember, ask your Pharmacist! He is there to help and advise to. You will find them all so helpful!

If you fail to follow your Doctor's instructions, you maybe wondering, what could happen? Importantly, if your medicine isn't taken the correct way, (and that means in accordance with your Doctor's instructions) it may fail to help you. It may also cause side effects that can be mild to bad. They could work against one another. Also if not taken correctly you may have side effects of nausea and dizziness or worse!

What can I do to help me to remember to take my medicine?

• Firstly get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.
  
  
• Take it along with meals or other daily happenings.
  
  
• Even asking your husband or wife to remind you can help.
  
  
• Keeping a written record is also good, providing you make a note as soon as you take your medicine.
  
  
• You can use special pillboxes to help you keep a record. You can purchase pill boxes which are divided into days of the week. However, please make sure they are air tight as some medications may deteriorate if not kept in an airtight container.
  
  
• Even turning the container upside down when you take it can help. Upside down in the morning and right side up at night! Get into the habit of doing this immediately you take it.
  
  
• Putting a little reminder note on your refrigerator or some other area where you will see it continually can also help.
  
  Other things you need to remember!
• Store your medicine the way your Chemist or Doctor tells you.
  
  
• Store all medicines in original containers.
  
  
• Think of what tablets and medicines you can and can't take together.
  
  
• Remember to ask your Doctor or Pharmacist's advice if you are taking over the counter medicines including Vitamins, Herbal remedies or anything sold as a natural product. This is extremely important!
  
  
• Remember to have your prescription filled in plenty of time to avoid you running out.
  
  
• Remember to advise your doctor if you experience any side effects.
  
  
• Any thing you are in doubt about please make a note so as to remind you to ask your Doctor or Pharmacist.
  
  
• Always keep to the prescribed dose!
  
  
• Remember, always check with your Doctor before you stop taking any medication.
  
  
• Also, that very important one! No over the counter medicines without your Doctor or Pharmacist's advice!
  
  
• Remember what you are taking as well as the doses. If consulting a new Doctor it is always wise to take your medications with you!
  
  
• Never ever take someone else's medicine!
  
  
• And very importantly keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  
  If you are a traveller or planning a trip in the future. Here are some more important suggestions to remember!
  
  
• Keep your medicine with you in your handbag or carry bag and not in your checked in luggage.
  
  
• Make sure you have enough scripts and medication to last you whilst you are away.
  
  
• It is always wise to take reserves with you just in case you cannot get your script filled where you are going.
  
  
• Review your dosage schedule with your Doctor or Pharmacist before you leave.
  
  
• If you are going overseas enquire from your Doctor or Pharmacist if you should make allowances for changes in time zones.
  
  
• Also keep a list of all your medicines and dietary supplements with you. (We suggest you do this at all times)
  
  
• As well as the name of a contact person and Doctor in case of an emergency.
  
  
  

Coumadin- Warfarin- What you should know!

What is this medicine used for?



COUMADIN contains an active ingredient called "warfarin". It helps to prevent blood from excessive clotting or forming harmful clots.
This type of medication is called an anticoagulant. Some people refer to anticoagulant medicines as "blood thinners". Excessive clotting sometimes occurs when physical mobility is low. If excessive clotting is not treated, it can lead to serious health problems such as strokes or heart attacks.



• There are two brands of warfarin. They are called COUMADIN and MAREVAN. Do not swap from one brand to the other. You should not combine these brands.
  
  Your doctor may prescribe COUMADIN for a purpose that is not listed above. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why COUMADIN has been prescribed for you.
  There is no evidence that COUMADIN is addictive.
  

  
  
• COUMADIN is only available with a doctor's prescription.
  
  
  What does it looks like?
  
  
• COUMADIN tablets are available in three different strengths.
  Each strength has a separate colour to distinguish it from the others. Be sure you are taking the right tablet by checking the colour and strength.
  
  
• Each strength appears as follows:
  
  1 mg: light tan, scored, marked "1" and COUMADIN on one side and plain on the other.
  
  2 mg: lavender, scored, marked '2' and COUMADIN on one side and plain on the other.
  
  5 mg: green, scored, marked '5' and COUMADIN on one side and plain on the other.
  
  Each bottle of COUMADIN contains 50 tablets.
  
  Ingredients
  
  
• COUMADIN tablets contain 1 mg, 2 mg or 5 mg of warfarin sodium as the active ingredient.
  
  The other ingredients in COUMADIN are:
  Lactose Anhydrous
  Starch - Tapioca
  Stearic Acid
  Magnesium Stearate (470)
  Amaranth (123) (COUMADIN 1 mg and COUMADIN 2 mg)
  Indigo Carmine (132) (COUMADIN 2 mg)
  Brilliant Blue FCF (133) (COUMADIN 5 mg)
  Quinoline Yellow (104) (COUMADIN 1 mg and 5 mg)
  COUMADIN contains NO sucrose, gluten or tartrazine.
  
  
  Before you use COUMADIN
  
  
• You must not use it during pregnancy.
  Taking COUMADIN during pregnancy may harm the developing baby.
  If you are considering becoming pregnant or it is possible for you to become pregnant while taking COUMADIN, tell your doctor who can help you weigh the benefits of taking COUMADIN against the possible risks.
  

  
  
• Do not take COUMADIN if you have had an allergic reaction to:
  Any of the other ingredients in COUMADIN (listed above)
  Marevan® (another brand of warfarin)
  
  
• You may get an itchy skin rash, have difficulty breathing or swelling of the face and tongue if you take it.
  
  Do not take COUMADIN If
  

  
  
• You have bleeding tendencies or abnormal blood cells.
  COUMADIN may make bleeding tendencies worse.
  
  
  
• Do not take COUMADIN if you have severely high blood pressure.
  The risk of bleeding in this situation may be increased by taking COUMADIN.
  
  
• Do not take COUMADIN after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the bottle.
  It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if you take it after the expiry date.
  
  
• Do not take COUMADIN if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
  
  Before you commence using COUMADIN please tell your Doctor
  
  
• If you are breastfeeding
• If you are going to have any dental treatment
  
• If you have recently had or are going to undergo any surgical procedures or operations
  
• If you are starting any sports activities that may result in traumatic injury
  
• If you are going to travel or go on holidays
  
  Your doctor or pharmacist is best able to advise you about combining these situations with taking COUMADIN!
  
  Tell your doctor if you currently have or have had any of the following health/medical conditions:
  
  
• Liver, kidney or intestinal disease such as coeliac disease
  
• High blood pressure
  
• A deficiency in Protein C
  
• An ulcer in your stomach or duodenum
  
• Red or black bowel motions
  
• Internal bleeding such as bleeding in the brain
  
• Bleeding tendencies
  
• Fits or convulsions
  
• Thyroid problems
  
• Heart problems
  
• Psychiatric problems
  
• Severe diabetes
  
• Long-lasting infections, diarrhoea, vomiting or fever
  
• Alcoholism
  
• Severe allergies
  
  

  Your doctor will consider all these factors when advising you about taking COUMADIN.
  
  
• Also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any medications, including those you might buy from a chemist, health food shop or supermarket. Some commonly used medicines and products that may
  interfere with COUMADIN include:
  
  
• Aspirin
  
• Any medication used to treat arthritis
  
• Some medications used to treat blood clots or heart attacks
  
• Antihistamines or any cough or cold preparations
  
• Some antibiotics
  
• Laxatives
  
• Vitamin C
  
• Vitamin E
  
• Vitamin K
  
• St John's Wort
  
• Drinking alcohol
  
• Eating large amounts of green leafy vegetables and/or drastic changes in dietary habits. These may be affected by COUMADIN or may affect how well COUMADIN works.
• You may need to take different amounts of these or you may need to take something different.
  
  How warfarin interacts with common herbs and supplements
  
  
• Adverse reactions after mixing pharmaceutical drugs and herbs or supplements are becoming increasingly common. Coumadin is one such drug that has many herbal, supplement, and food contraindications. The importance of consulting an appropriately trained health care provider before taking herbal medicine and supplements can not be overemphasized. Some of the items on this list are not absolute contraindications and can be safely taken with warfarin under professional supervision.
  
  Herbs and supplements that can potentially reduce the effect of warfarin
  · Vitamin C
  · Ginseng
  · Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
  · St. John's wort
  · Papaya
  
  Your doctor or pharmacist has a more complete list of medicines to avoid while taking COUMADIN. Please be sure to enquire.
  
  
  Herbs and supplements that can potentially magnify the effect of warfarin
  · Dan shen
  · Devil's claw
  · Garlic
  · Gingko biloba
  · Dong quai
  · Fenugreek
  · Vitamin E
  · White willow
  · Feverfew
  · Chuan xiong (Ligustici chuanxion)
  · Tao ren (Persicae)
  · Hong hua (Carthamus tinctorii)
  · Shui zhi (Hirudo seu whitmania)
  
  The above is a partial list and should not replace medical consultation, as herbs and supplements are continually added to the list when new interactions are discovered. Once again please remember to check with your Pharmacist!
  
  
  How much to take
  You should follow your doctor's directions exactly about how much COUMADIN to take.
  
  Different people require different amounts of COUMADIN and the dosage is adjusted to suit each patient. Your directions should be printed on the pharmacy lable.
  
  By using the results of a blood test, your doctor will decide what amount of COUMADIN you need. This means that your doctor may sometimes alter your dose of COUMADIN so that your dose is right for you.
  
  When do you take it?
  
  
• COUMADIN will usually work best if it is taken at about the same time every day.
  
  How to take it
  
  
• Swallow COUMADIN with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablets.
  COUMADIN can be taken with or apart from food or meals.
  
  How long to take it
  
  
• You may not feel any differently while taking COUMADIN from the way you were prior to taking it. However, COUMADIN will continue to be prescribed while there is a risk of excessive clotting. Do not stop taking COUMADIN or reduce your dose unless your doctor advises you to do so.
  
  If you forget to take it
  
  
• If you forget to take a dose take the dose as soon as you remember and then go back to taking it as you would normally. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (eg. within 8 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you were meant to.
  
  Do not try to make up for a missed dose by taking more than one dose per day.
  
  If you have trouble remembering when to take it, see our article above for some hints on taking your medication!
  
  If too much COUMADIN is taken (overdose)
  
  
• Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much COUMADIN, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
  
  
• Keep the telephone numbers for your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre and your nearest hospital handy so that they are accessible in case of an emergency.
  Possible signs of taking too many COUMADIN tablets include bleeding. Blood may be seen in stools or urine. Abnormal bruising or abnormal menstrual bleeding may also be experienced.
  
  While You Are Using COUMADIN
  Things you must do
  
  
• Make sure that all of the doctors, dentists and pharmacists that are treating you know that you are taking COUMADIN.
  
  
• It is recommended that you also carry identification stating that you are taking COUMADIN.
  
  
• Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking COUMADIN.
  
  
• Be sure to keep all of your appointments for blood tests so that the effect of COUMADIN can be checked.
  
  
• Eat a normal, balanced diet. This minimises the possibility of dietary habits interfering with COUMADIN.
  
  Things you must not do
  
• Do not start or stop any other medicines while you are taking COUMADIN unless you have discussed this with your doctor. This includes medicines you can buy without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
  
  
• There are two brands of warfarin called COUMADIN and MAREVAN. Do not swap from one brand to the other. It may not be safe to change between these brands.
  
  
• Do not take COUMADIN to treat any complaint other than that directed by your doctor.
  It may not be safe to take COUMADIN for another complaint.
  
  
• Do not give COUMADIN to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar.
  It may not be safe for another person to take COUMADIN.
  
  Side Effects
  
  
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking COUMADIN. Even if you do not think the problem is connected with the it.
  COUMADIN helps most people, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.
  
  Remember, any articles on any of our pages are for reference purposes only. Please, we urge you to always seek the advice of your Health Professional for diagnosis and treatment and answers to any questions you are seeking.
  
  
  For continuation of articles please click here or on the links above