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Welcome to a New Generation of INR Self-Testing

Ask Your Doctor About the Benefits of INR Self-Testing Then Call 1-800-780-0675 to Get Started

What is INR?

What is an INR Test?

To measure how long it takes your blood to clot, your doctor will order a test for your INR, or international normalized ratio, to measure the amount of warfarin (a blood thinner) in your blood.

  • Your doctor will decide what INR number is best for you and can adjust your dose of warfarin to keep your INR within a specific target range that is right for you.
  • A small blood sample is taken from a fingerstick

How it Works

How INR Testing Works

Testing at home or anywhere that is convenient is easy with Remote INR. We provide you with the same testing technology that doctors and nurses use in their offices. A healthcare professional trained to provide self-testing training can teach you how to use the device. Here’s an overview of the process:

Self-Test Anywhere

Test yourself anywhere, at the frequency prescribed by your doctor.

Report Results

Send us your results by submitting them online via RemoteINR.com, live agent support, or using the automated phone system. You decide which is best for you!

Doctor Receives & Monitors Patient Values

Once your doctor or healthcare provider receives your results, they will contact you if any changes are or are not necessary for your warfarin dose.

Why Self Test

So many reasons to self-testing

Collect just one drop of blood.

It helps you stay on target.

(A study has shown that self-testing may result in increased time in the therapeutic range.1)

Test anywhere, anytime.*

Use your small, portable meter.

You don’t have to worry about travelling or waiting.

Get results in one minute.

If you and your doctor agree self-testing is right for you, then you’re ready to get enrolled!

Reference: 1. CoaguChek XS System User Manual and CoaguChek Vantus website at Roche.
*The CoaguChek XS system may be used up to a maximum of 14,000 feet. The CoaguChek Vantus system may be used up to a maximum of 13,120 feet.

Three Ways to Test Your INR

All three ways provide accurate results. However, many warfarin patients choose self-testing for the freedom and convenience it provides.

Remote INR Mobile App

Download the app and report wirelessly with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or tablet.

Remote INR Online Portal

Automated Phone Reporting System

Call
1-800-780-0625, 24/7

Report to a Live Representative

Call
1-800-780-0625

(Mon – Fri: 8am – 8pm, except holidays)

Frequently Asked Questions About INR Testing

COAGULATION (THE ABILITY FOR YOUR BLOOD TO MAKE CLOTS)

Coagulation is the formation of blood clots inside the body. Proteins in the blood, called fibrins, and small elements in the blood, called platelets, work together to form a clot, which helps stop bleeding when you have a cut or injury.

Anticoagulants (commonly called “blood thinners”) are medication such as warfarin. These drugs help thin the blood of patients with conditions such as atrial fibrillation, thrombophilia and other diseases that increase the risk of forming blood clots. 

WAFARIN (MEDICINE USED TO KEEP YOUR BLOOD FROM CLOTTING TOO MUCH)

Warfarin is a widely used anticoagulant for appropriate patients, given in tablet form, that must be regularly monitored. It may be prescribed to patients for weeks, months, or even years.

For some people, blood clots form too easily, or they don’t dissolve properly. These clots can impede blood flowing through the body, potentially leading to heart attack or stroke.1 Drugs like warfarin are anticoagulation medications that slow down the clotting process to help keep you in a safe range.

If you are taking warfarin, then INR testing is a required part of your ongoing therapy. INR stands for “international normalized ratio.” It is a standardized reporting system established by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is used as the measure of a patient’s level of anticoagulation when being treated with warfarin. INR is monitored to ensure patients who are taking warfarin are in the therapeutic range (the right amount for their condition).

 

Your INR results let your doctor know whether you’re taking the right amount of warfarin to keep you in range and on track. Testing is a continual commitment between you and your doctor. However, once you know your options, you’ll see how it can become a simple part of your routine.

Alcohol can increase the effect of your medication and further slow your clotting rate, causing your INR to be too high. You may want to avoid it while on anticoagulation medication. Talk to your doctor about what’s appropriate for you.

INR TESTING

PT stands for “prothrombin time,” or the time it takes for blood to clot. INR is short for “international normalized ratio.” This is a calculation for standardizing results from PT tests. Essentially, PT/INR is a measure of whether your blood is clotting at a safe rate. You may see this referred to as PT monitoring, INR monitoring, or PT/INR.

Any condition that results in an increased risk for blood clots and is treated with an anticoagulant, such as warfarin (sometimes known as Coumadin® or other brand names), will require regular testing. These include:2

  • Atrial fibrillation – The most common type of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.
  • Venous thromboembolism (VTE) – Involving blood clots in the veins of the legs or the lungs; includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
  • Mechanical heart valves – Implantable devices, especially those with manmade surfaces, can cause blood clots to form.
  • Thrombophilia – An increased tendency to form abnormal blood clots.

The goal of monitoring your INR is to remain in the target range recommended by your doctor. In general, an INR target therapeutic range of 2.0 to 3.0 is appropriate3–8, however this is dependent on the indication for which you are receiving a VKA and other variables.5,6,9. Please consult and follow the instructions of your doctor regarding the appropriate range for you. 

If your INR is higher than the target range, blood clots may not form quickly enough, and you may experience bruising or be at increased risk of bleeding. If your INR is too low, you may still be at risk of excessive clotting.8 Please consult your doctor if your INR value is outside of your recommended target range.

Many things can alter your INR, including stress, missing a dose of your vitamin K antagonist therapy, taking herbal supplements and other medications, and consuming certain foods and beverages, such as kale and cranberry juice. Talk to your doctor about what’s appropriate for you.

Test frequency should be determined by your doctor. 

VITAMIN K

A vitamin K antagonist (VKA) works by blocking the body’s ability to use vitamin K, a necessary component in the formation of blood clots. When you’re taking this type of medication, it’s important to keep the amount of vitamin K in your diet consistent, or it may impact the effectiveness of your VKA doses.10

Green vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli are high in vitamin K,11 as are the following foods:

  • Tuna
  • Prunes
  • Green tea
  • Beef and chicken liver
  • Liverwurst
  • Blueberries and blackberries 

Resources

Patient Introduction Video
See how Remote INR helps simplify PT-INR testing for patients who have been stable on Warfarin for more than 90 days
Patient Education Video
This video provides instruction on how to set up your system for the first time as well as to prepare and perform a test
Patient Education Video
This video provides instructions on how to utilize the Unistik-3 lancet for patients that utilize this single patient use lancing device.

Working with Remote INR

Remote INR is designed to help you enjoy the freedom of INR self-testing.

When you receive your new CoaguCheck Vantus, the Remote INR team will teach you how to use it. Representatives can answer any questions you might have about the process of test your INR. After your meeting, they’ll remain available to provide ongoing support.

Starting with the Remote INR portal is easy. Just call 1-800-780-0675 today. Your doctor will then be contacted for the prescription information needed to start your enrollment process.

Contact Us for More Information
About Remote INR

General Information: 
1-800-780-0675
   
 

References: 1. American Heart Association. Article available from: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/What-Is-Excessive-Blood-Clotting-Hypercoagulation_UCM_448768_Article.jsp [Accessed July 2019]. 2. Ryan F, Byrne S, O-Shea S, et al. Managing oral anticoagulation therapy: improving clinical outcomes. A review. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2008;33:581–590. 3. Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D, et al. 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Euro Heart J, 2016;37:2893–2962. 4. Konstantinides SV, Torbicki A, Agnelli G, et al. 2014 ESC Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Eur Heart J. 2014;35:3033–3080. 5. Mazzolai L, Aboyans V, Ageno W, et al. Diagnosis and management of acute deep vein thrombosis: a joint consensus document from the European Society of Cardiology working groups of aorta and peripheral vascular diseases and pulmonary circulation and right ventricular function. Eur Heart J. 2018;39:4208–4218. 6. January CT, Wann S, Alpert JS, et al. 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS guideline for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64:e1–e76. 7. Baglin T, Bauer K, Douketis J, et al. Duration of anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of an unprovoked pulmonary embolus or deep vein thrombosis: guidance from the SSC of the ISTH. J Thromb Haemost. 2012;10(4):698–702. 8. American Heart Association. Article available from: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/PreventionTreatmentofArrhythmia/A-Patients-Guide-to-Taking-Warfarin_UCM_444996_Article.jsp [Accessed July 2019] 9. Baumgartner H, Falk V, Bax JJ, et al. 2017 ESC/EACTS Guidelines for the management of valvular heart disease. Eur Heart J. 2017;38(37):2739–2786. 10. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Article available from: https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/patients-consumers/diagnosis-treatment/treatments/btpills/btpills.pdf [Accessed July 2019] 11. Healthline. Article available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-high-in-vitamin-k#section5 [Accessed July 2019]

Ask Your Doctor About the Benefits of INR Self-Testing,
Then Call 1-800-780-0675 to Get Started.

To learn more about innovative technology from BioTel Heart, visit myheartmonitor.com