Client Information Sheet

for

Vitamin K₁ (Rx)

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 drug?

• 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 are used in follow-up therapy after the administration of Vitamin K1 injection and hospitalization are no longer required

What dogs/cats should not take this medication?

• 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

• Injectable Vitamin K can cause bleeding at the injection site. If given into the vein (IV), serious allergic reactions can occur.

• 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.