Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication commonly used to prevent blood clots. It works by inhibiting the vitamin K-dependent synthesis of several clotting factors in the liver. The primary laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy is the International Normalized Ratio (INR).
The INR assesses how long it takes for the blood to clot in comparison to a normal range, adjusted for variations in laboratory testing. Regular monitoring of the INR is essential for patients on warfarin because it helps ensure that anticoagulation levels are within the therapeutic range, minimizing the risk of thromboembolic events or excessive bleeding.
Monitoring the INR allows healthcare providers to adjust the warfarin dosage as needed based on the patient's individual response to the medication. This is crucial because several factors, including diet, other medications, and changes in the patient’s condition, can affect INR results and thus the risk of bleeding or clotting.
While potassium levels, liver enzymes, and BUN may be important in the overall assessment of a patient’s health or specific conditions, they are not routinely monitored in the context of warfarin therapy for adjusting anticoagulation levels. Therefore, the INR is the key laboratory test for patients prescribed warfar