Discontinuing Labwork With Medications

Date June 18, 2014 Author By Eric Christianson Category Anticoagulation, Coumadin, Statins

Inevitably, several times a year, while reviewing a patient’s medications, notes, labs, etc. I will come across a lab that was drawn on an individual that is totally puzzling to me.  You may see Coumadin discontinued due to various reasons, but many times it is due to high risk of bleeding or something similar to this.  What you need to remember to try to prevent unnecessary labwork is to discontinue associated lab monitoring with that medication (in this case obviously INR).  Another example might be if a seizure medication is discontinued (i.e. Depakote), or maybe a statin is discontinued due to comfort or hospice type care. If you ever see medications that require routine labwork get discontinued, get the associated lab discontinued BEFORE the lab is drawn unnecessarily.  Save everyone some time, a potential needle stick, and money!

Tags: Depakote, warfarin