Warfarin

Brand Names

Warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven

What is Warfarin

Warfarin is a prescription anticoagulant that used to reduce the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. It is used to prevent heart attacks, strokes and blood clots in veins and arteries.

Side effects of Warfarin

The possible warfarin side effects include the followings:

• Bleeding, including dangerous internal bleeding
• Easy bruising
• "Purple toe syndrome"
• Hair loss

Indication

Warfarin is commonly used for the following uses:

• Prevention or treatment of blood clots in the veins (such as with deep vein thrombosis)
• Prevention or treatment of blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
• Prevention or treatment of blood clots or related problems (such asstrokes) in people with atrial fibrillation or artificial heart valves
• Reducing the risk of death, repeat heart attacks, blood clots or strokes after a heart attack

Precautions

You should not take Warfarin if you have:

• A bleeding disorder
• Intestinal or stomach ulcers or bleeding
• Bleeding in the brain
• An aneurysm
• Inflammation of the sac the surrounds the heart (called the pericardium)
• A bacterial infection of the endocardium (the inner layer of the heart)
• A condition (such as a mental illness) that limits the ability to follow instructions carefully
• Had a negative reaction to heparin
• Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis or hepatitis
• Kidney disease, such as kidney failure
• High blood pressure
• A clotting disorder known as protein C deficiency
• Polycythemia vera (a condition involving excess red blood cells)
• Vasculitis (a blood vessel disorder)
• Diabetes
• An indwelling bladder catheter
• Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes or preservatives
• Will be having surgery or spinal anesthesia or puncture (such as a spinal tap)
• Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or breastfeeding

Dosage forms

The dose of Warfarin should be determined by your doctor, because the side effects can be life-threatening. Little doses of it increase your risk for blood clots and strokes and large doses increase your risk for dangerous internal bleeding. Even tiny dosing changes can have a large effect.

Warfarin dose does not depend on body weight. It is very important to note that a dose that works well today may not be appropriate next week. Sometimes, frequent dosing adjustments are necessary, although ideally, most people will achieve a somewhat steady dose.