Dicumarol
Overview
Dicumarol is an coumarin-like compound found in sweet clover. It is used as an oral anticoagulant and acts by inhibiting the hepatic synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors (prothrombin and factors VII, IX, and X). It is also used in biochemical experiments as an inhibitor of reductases. Dicumarol inhibits vitamin K reductase, resulting in depletion of the reduced form of vitamin K (vitamin KH2). As vitamin K is a cofactor for the carboxylation of glutamate residues on the N-terminal regions of vitamin K-dependent proteins, this limits the gamma-carboxylation and subsequent activation of the vitamin K-dependent coagulant proteins. The synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X and anticoagulant proteins C and S is inhibited. Depression of three of the four vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors (factors II, VII, and X) results in decresed prothrombin levels and a decrease in the amount of thrombin generated and bound to fibrin. This reduces the thrombogenicity of clots.
Anticoagulants decrease the clotting ability of the blood and therefore help to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. These medicines are sometimes called blood thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They also will not dissolve clots that already have formed, but they may prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems. They are often used as treatment for certain blood vessel, heart, and lung conditions.
Categories
- 10 Drugs affecting the blood
Primary Characterstics
Indications
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Pharmacokinetics
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Contraindications
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Side Effects
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Dosage
Dicumarol's dosage details are as follows:
Dose
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Single Dose
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Frequency
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Route
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Instructions
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Adult Dosage
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25 to 200 mg/day | 110 (112.5) | As recommended. | PO | dose should be adjusted according to blood tests. |
Paedriatic Dosage (20kg)
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No data regarding the Paedriatic dosage details of Dicumarol is available. |
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
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No data regarding the neonatal dosage details of Dicumarol is available. |
High Risk Groups
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Warning / Precautions
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Storage Conditions
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Interference in Pathology
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Brands / Trade Names of
Dicumarol
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