Mephyton (Phytonadione) is often used in rodent poisoning cases (anticoagulant rodenticides like warfarin or bishydroxycoumarin) that cause severe bleeding in dogs and cats.

Why has my veterinarian prescribed Mephyton Tablets for pets?

Phytonadione is used to treat animals that have been poisoned with warfarin or bishydroxycoumarin. These poisons may result in bleeding problems in the animal. This medication helps to stop bleeding. Phytonadione may be used for other conditions as prescribed by your veterinarian.

How do I give Mephyton Tablets for pets?

"Give this medication with food, preferably foods high in fat content."

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time each day, preferably prior to feeding.
• Give this medication with food, preferably foods high in fat content.
• DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed and do not give more often than directed.
• DO NOT discontinue the medication without first checking with your veterinarian. Contact your veterinarian ahead of time if repeat medication is required.
• Try not to miss giving any doses.
• During the treatment period, try to keep the animal quiet.

What do I do if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once.

How do I store Mephyton Tablets for pets?

• Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
• Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
• Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.

What are the potential side effects?

• If this medication is given as an injection, there may be some bleeding at the injection site. Anaphylactic reactions have been reported after intravenous injection.
• Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

Are there any possible drug interactions?

• Make sure to tell your veterinarian if you are giving your pet any other medication or supplements.
• Quite often, your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, and sometimes a drug interaction may be anticipated. If this occurs, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• The following drugs can potentially interact with phytonadione (vitamin K1): Coumarin, indandione agents, phenylbutazone, aspirin, chloramphenicol, sulfonamides, diazoxide, allopurinol, cimetidine, metronidazole, anabolic steroids, erythromycin, ketoconazole, propranolol, thyroid drugs, and mineral oil.
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

Vitamin K (Rx)

Trade Names:

K-Caps 25

K-Caps 50

K-Chews 25

K-Chews 50

K-Sol™

Mega-K Powder

Veda-K1 2X Oral Capsules

Veda-K₁ Oral Capsule

Veta-K1® Capsules

Vitamin K-1 Oral Capsules

Vitamin K1 Chewable Tablets (25 mg)

Vitamin K1 Chewable Tablets (50 mg)

Vitamin K₁ Chewable Tablets (25 mg)

Vitamin K₁ Chewable Tablets (50 mg)

Vitamin K₁ Oral Capsules

Vitamin K₁ Oral Capsules Double Strength

General Description:

Vitamin K is used to help the body produce factors in the blood to aid in clotting and prevent bleeding. It is often used in rodent poisoning cases (anticoagulant rodenticides) that cause severe bleeding.

What is this product?

• Vitamin K or phytonadione stimulates the production (via the liver) of the clotting factor, prothrombin.
• Given by mouth

Reasons for prescribing:

• To treat dogs and cats who have eaten rodent poison (coumarin-based compounds) or other drug-induced hypoprothrombinemia (ex. salicylates)
• To treat clotting disorders due to faulty formation of some blood factors
• Oral Vitamin K is used in follow-up therapy after the administration of Vitamin K1 injection and when hospitalization is no longer required

What dogs/cats should not take this product?

• This product has not been proven to be safe for use during pregnancy, but potential benefits to the mother and offspring usually outweigh any risks
• If your pet has had an allergic reaction to Vitamin K1 before

Directions:

Read and follow the label carefully.

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. It is usually given one to three times daily for several weeks. Ideally, give the medication at the same time(s) daily.

Give this medication for as long as veterinarian directs. Do not skip doses or stop giving the medication without consulting your veterinarian.

Give this medication along with a high fat food. This will improve absorption of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract.

Discuss with your veterinarian what diet requirements your pet will have during therapy.

If your pet needs a very small dose, your veterinarian may ask you to give injectable Vitamin K by mouth. Since it is very bitter-tasting, your pharmacist may be able to flavor the product to make it more acceptable to your pet.

Your veterinarian will periodically want to check your pet's blood for prothrombin levels. This information will affect dosing frequency, amount and duration of treatment. The smallest effective dose will be used to prevent adverse reactions.

To reduce the chance of bleeding, your veterinarian may advise you to keep your pet very quiet during therapy.

What if a dose is missed?

If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can, regardless of feeding status. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.

What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving medication?

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• When will your pet need to be rechecked
• What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
• What are the risks and benefits of using this drug

Tell your veterinarian about:

• If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
• If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever
• If your pet has experienced liver or kidney disease now or ever
• If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
• All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet's medicines can be given together.
• If your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you plan to breed your pet

Storage and Warnings:

Store in a tight, light resistant, childproof container in a cool, dry place at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets.

Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Potential side effects:

• Oral forms of Vitamin K have few side effects
• If you notice anything unusual contact your veterinarian

Can this drug be given with other drugs?

• Yes, but if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian.

Overdosing?

Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet eats more than the prescribed amount.

What else should I know?

Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.

As with all prescribed medicines, Vitamin K should only be given to the pet for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.

This is just a summary of information about Vitamin K. If you have any questions or concerns about Vitamin K or the condition it was prescribed for, contact your veterinarian.