In mild cases and when the overdosage has been gradual, it usually suffices to stop the warfarin therapy temporarily. If the patient has taken a large amount of warfarin, gastric lavage is not recommended because of the risk of complications. Medicinal charcoal is administered repeatedly to prevent the absorption and enterohepatic circulation of warfarin. If medicinal charcoal is administered, vitamin K must be administered parenterally (IV). If bleeding complications occur, warfarin effect can be reversed by giving vitamin K, coagulation factor concentrate or fresh frozen plasma. If warfarin therapy is indicated also in the future, large doses of vitamin K exceeding 10 mg must be avoided, because after that the patient will be resistant to the effect of warfarin for up to two weeks.
The following scheme can be used in treating overdosage. (See Table 3.)
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