Side effects
Unwanted side effects cannot be ruled out, often accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite and diarrhoea occur. In some patients, long-term treatment with Marcumar® resulted in constipation, increased hair loss, the appearance of bruising and even undesirable bleeding tendencies. Particularly serious side effects include intracranial bleeding (intracerebral bleeding, cerebral hemorrhage) and high blood pressure.
After discontinuing Marcumar®, it can take another 10 -14 days before the anticoagulant effect disappears and normal coagulation can take place again. This fact can be explained by the fact that only after this time a sufficiently high concentration of carboxylated coagulation factors can be formed. In emergency situations, it is therefore necessary to supply the missing coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X to the organism from outside in order to reduce a possible risk of bleeding.Also in connection with planned surgical procedures and dental treatments, it must always be remembered to discontinue the anticoagulant drug early enough and thus prevent an increased bleeding tendency.
How can you reverse the effect of Marcumar?
Marcumar® develops its effect by inhibiting the formation of certain so-called clotting factors in the liver. It blocks the vitamin K necessary for their production. As a result, the blood is “diluted” or more precisely, the tendency to clot is slowed down.
The desired effect is to prevent the formation of dangerous blood clots (thrombi) in the blood vessels, which could otherwise lead to vascular occlusion. Depending on the mechanism of action of Marcumar® or its active ingredient phenprocoumon, the effect of the drug can be reversed by supplying the patient with vitamin K. This can either be swallowed or administered directly into the blood via the vein. The excess of vitamin K in the liver thus counteracts the anticoagulant effect of Marcumar®. In this way, for example, a bleeding tendency caused by an overdose can be treated.
Does Marcumar work for diarrhoea?
Marcumar is also effective against diarrhoea, but the mode of action can sometimes be strongly influenced. In the case of a pronounced diarrhoea, the absorption of vitamin K from food may be reduced. In proportion, there may now be an excess of the active ingredient of Marcumar® in the liver, which inhibits the function of vitamin K. As a result, the blood clotting process may be inhibited too strongly, leading to a tendency to bleed.
The treating physician should therefore be informed if a patient taking Marcumar® develops diarrhea. If necessary, the coagulation values should then be checked more frequently and the dosage adjusted accordingly.
