Skip Navigation

FLASH: Donated Vitamin K Available for Patients in Synthetic Cannabinoid Cases

Severe bleeding associated with using synthetic cannabinoids has become a problem in Illinois. Since March 2018, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has received reports of more than 160 cases of people using synthetic cannabinoid products and developing vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy.

Many of these patients require large doses of long-term oral vitamin K to maintain appropriate International Normalized Ratio values and prevent recurrent bleeding. High cost and limited access to vitamin K has been a barrier to sustained recovery.

IDPH received a donation of nearly 800,000 vitamin K tablets from the Bausch Foundation, the independent charitable organization of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.

Patients suffering from vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy due to synthetic cannabinoid exposure can bring a valid prescription for oral vitamin K to any of the below pharmacies to receive this medicine for free (while supplies last).

Peoria region:

Medi-Park Pharmacy
420 N.E. Glen Oak Ave., Suite 102
Peoria, IL 61603>
309-655-3799

Chicago region:

Stroger Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy
1901 W. Harrison, Room 1130
Chicago, IL 60612
312-864-1608

Oak Forest Health Center Pharmacy
15900 S. Cicero Ave.
Oak Forest, IL 60452
708-633-4435

Provident Outpatient Pharmacy
430 E. 50th Pl.
Chicago, IL 60615
312-572-2964

Mail-in option: Patients unable to go to one of these pharmacies can get a vitamin K prescription filled through Cook County Health & Hospitals System’s mail order service.

You can send an electronic prescription to “Cook County Oak Forest Central Fill Pharmacy” through Surescripts. If an electronic prescription is not an option, you can call the pharmacy at 708-633-2167 or 708-633-2163. All prescriptions should include the correct address and phone number for the patient.

For clinical guidance on inpatient or outpatient management of coagulopathy, call the Illinois Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

For additional information and resources, visit IDPH’s website.