Definitions
Anticoagulant
Medicine used to make your blood take longer to clot. This keeps you from making blood clots that may be harmful to your body.
Brand name
The name a specific company gives for a product they make. For example, Coumadin® and Jantoven® are brand names for warfarin. A drug may have several brand names. Brand name is also called a trade name.
Compression stockings
Special socks that apply gentle pressure to your legs. This pressure keeps blood clots from forming or getting larger in your legs. These may also be called T.E.D.® hose.
Coumadin®
A brand name for the medicine named warfarin.
Deep Vein Thrombosis
A blood clot in a vein deep inside your body, usually in your leg.
DVT
Deep vein thrombosis. Usually this refers to a blood clot in your leg.
Generic name
The name of a medicine specific to a chemical compound. Warfarin is an example of a generic name. Many manufacturers may make warfarin. The manufacturers may also assign a “brand name” (see brand name).
INR
International Normalized Ratio. This is a lab test. Some blood needs to be taken from you to do this test. The blood is taken by either putting a needle in your arm or sticking your finger. The information is used to adjust your dose of warfarin. It will tell your care providers if your warfarin dose is too high or too low.
Jantoven®
A brand name for the medicine named warfarin.
Log
A record of your INR results and your warfarin dose.
Monitor
To collect information about your health. While you are on warfarin, this includes having a lab test (INR) on a regular basis. This tells your care providers if you are taking the right dose of warfarin. The information is used to help take better care of you.
PE
Pulmonary embolus. A blood clot in your lungs.
Protime
This lab test is used to adjust your dose of warfarin. Usually called INR. Also called prothrombin time or PT.
PT
Prothrombin Time (see Protime)
Pulmonary Embolus
A blood clot in your lungs.
T.E.D.® hose
A brand name for compression stockings (see compression stockings).
Therapy
Treatment of a disease or illness. Also treatment to prevent a disease or illness.
Thrombosis
A clot in your blood stream.
Trade name
See brand name.
Venous thromboembolism
A blood clot in your veins. It usually is located in your legs but can occur in other parts of your body.
Vitamin K
A vitamin that is needed for your blood to clot. When you are on warfarin, it is important to have a consistent amount of vitamin K in your diet.
VTE
Venous thromboembolism. A blood clot in your veins. It is usually located in your legs, but can occur in other parts of your body.
Warfarin
A medicine used to keep you from forming harmful clots.
