Vitamin K1

How is this medication useful?

Phytonadione (Vitamin K1) is used by the body to form blood clots and prevent bleeding. This medication is often used after animals eat certain kinds of mouse or rat poison (anticoagulant rodenticides) that can cause severe bleeding if left untreated. Because some of these poisons stay in the body for a long period of time, treatment with phytonadione may be required for several weeks. You and your veterinarian can discuss why this drug is the most appropriate choice.

What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?

Many things might affect how well this drug will work in your animal. Be sure to discuss the following with your veterinarian so together you can make the best treatment decisions.

• Other drugs can interact with this drug, so be sure to tell your veterinarian and pharmacist what medications (including vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies) you give your animal, including the amount and time you give each.

• Tell your veterinarian about any conditions or diseases your animal may have now or has had in the past.

• If your animal has been treated for the same disease or condition in the past, tell your veterinarian about the treatment and how well it did or didn’t work.

• If your animal is pregnant or nursing, talk to your veterinarian about the risks of using this drug.

• Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any medication side effects (including allergic reactions, lack of appetite, diarrhea, itching, hair loss) your animal has developed in the past.

How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?

This medication should start having effects within 1 to 2 hours; however, you will not see the effects of this medication outwardly. Your veterinarian will need to run further tests to determine if the medication is working appropriately. The effects of this medication are short-lived, meaning they will stop working within 24 hours, although the benefits may be prolonged if your animal has decreased kidney and/or liver function.

When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?

• No drug is 100% safe in all patients, but your veterinarian will discuss with you any specific concerns about using this drug in your animal.

• The injectable form of this drug must only be given under the skin (subcutaneously). If it is given in the vein (intravenously), life-threatening allergic reactions can occur and thus, this method of giving the drug is not generally recommended.

What are the side effects of this medication?

• If phytonadione is given by mouth (orally), side effects are unlikely.

• If given by injection by your veterinarian, bleeding at the injection site can occur.

If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?

If you witness or suspect an overdose, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center for further advice. Animal poison control centers that are open 24 hours a day include: Pet Poison HELPLINE (855-764-7661) and ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center(888-426-4435); a consultation fee is charged for these services.

How should this medication be given?

For this medication to work, give it exactly as your veterinarian has prescribed. It’s a good idea to always check the prescription label to be sure you are giving the drug correctly.

• Depending on the severity of the poisoning, your veterinarian may prescribe the drug to be given once to three times a day for several weeks. It is very important that all doses are given even if the animal appears to be fine, or else bleeding can begin.

• Oral phytonadione works best when given with high fat meals. Your veterinarian will tell you what your animal should eat while taking this drug.

• If your animal needs a small dose, your veterinarian may prescribe a compounded form of oral vitamin K for your animal.

• Compounded liquid forms of this medication must be measured carefully. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can help by providing special measuring spoons or syringes.

• If you have difficulty getting your animal to take the medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for tips to help with dosing and reducing the stress of medication time.

• This medication can be given for various lengths of time. Be sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to continue giving this medication. Prescription refills may be necessary before the therapy will be complete. Before stopping this medication, talk to your veterinarian, as there may be important reasons to continue its use.

What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?

If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time for the next dose, give both doses at that time.

How should I store this medication?

• Store this medication in the original prescription bottle or an approved dosage reminder container (ie, pill minder) at room temperature and protected from light.

• If your veterinarian or pharmacist has made (compounded) a special formulation for your animal, follow the storage recommendations and expiration date for the product.

Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?

There are no specific precautions required when handling this medication unless you are allergic to it. Wash your hands after handling any medication.

How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?

• Do not flush this medication down the toilet or wash it down the sink. If a community drug “take-back” program is available, use this option. If there is no take-back program, mix the drug with coffee grounds or cat litter (to make it undesirable to children and animals and unrecognizable to people who might go through your trash), place the mixture in a sealable plastic bag to keep it from leaking out, and throw the bag out with the regular trash.

• Do not save leftover medication for future use or give it to others to use.

What other information is important for this medication?

• Do not give new foods to your animal while it is on this medication without first talking with your veterinarian. Some foods can cause problems when given with phytonadione.

• Your veterinarian may advise you to keep your animal quiet while on this drug to reduce the chance of bleeding.

• Your veterinarian will need to do periodic examinations and blood tests on your animal while it is taking this medicine. Do not miss these important follow-up visits.

• Use of this drug may not be allowed in certain animal competitions. Check rules and regulations before entering your animal in acompetition while this medication is being administered.

If you have any other questions about this medication, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.