Phytonadione Information - Drugs and Treatments

VITAMIN K - ORAL

Common Brand Name(s): Mephyton

Information last revised May 2010

What does VITAMIN K-ORAL look like?

Mephyton 5 mg Tab

Uses:

Vitamin K is used to treat and prevent low levels of certain substances (blood clotting factors) that your body naturally produces. These substances help your blood to thicken and stop bleeding normally (e.g., after an accidental cut or injury). Low levels of blood clotting factors increase the risk for unusual bleeding. Low levels may be caused by certain medications (e.g., warfarin) or medical conditions (e.g., obstructive jaundice). Vitamin K helps to treat and prevent unusual bleeding by increasing the body's production of blood clotting factors.

Missed Dose

If you are taking this product on a prescribed schedule and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth exactly as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you are using a certain "blood thinner" drug (warfarin), vitamin K can decrease the effects of warfarin for up to 2 weeks. Therefore, be sure to take your vitamin K and warfarin exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you develop easy bruising or bleeding, seek immediate medical attention. You may need another dose of vitamin K.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen). Avoid taking this medication at the same time as orlistat (a weight-management drug). Wait at least 2 hours between taking this medication and orlistat because taking them together may decrease the effect of vitamin K. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Notes

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., prothrombin time, INR) should be performed to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Vitamin K is commonly found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, collards, and broccoli. Follow any dietary guidelines recommended by your health care professional.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Precautions

Before taking vitamin K, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood disorders, gallbladder disease (e.g., obstructive jaundice, biliary fistula), liver disease. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Side Effects

Vitamin K usually has very few side effects. If you have any unusual effects from taking this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

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