Coumadin

What is this medication for?

Warfarin belongs to the class of medications called anticoagulants. It is sometimes called a "blood thinner," although it does not actually thin the blood. Warfarin helps to prevent blood clots from forming or from getting bigger, but it does not dissolve blood clots.

Warfarin is used to treat blood clots in the blood vessels, lungs, and heart. It is also used to prevent clots for people with conditions that put them at an increased risk of developing blood clots (e.g., some abnormal heart rhythms, leg circulation problems).

Blood clots are dangerous because they can cause medical problems such as heart attacks, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. Warfarin helps to reduce blood clotting within 24 hours of taking the medication, but the full effect may take 72 to 96 hours to occur. Warfarin works by partially blocking the reuse of vitamin K in your liver.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

What form(s) does this medication come in?

Coumadin® is available as:

• tablets
  • 1 mg
  • 2 mg
  • 2.5 mg
  • 3 mg
  • 4 mg
  • 5 mg
  • 6 mg
  • 7.5 mg
  • 10 mg
• injection
  • 5 mg per vial

How should I use this medication?

Your doctor will recommend regular laboratory tests to determine how quickly your blood clots, and your doctor will adjust your dosage of warfarin according to these results.

It is very important to keep your lab appointments, as there is a narrow margin between too much and too little of the medication. Too much medication may cause you to bleed more. Too little medication may let a harmful blood clot form.

Different circumstances in your life (e.g., eating certain foods or using certain medications) can cause the medication to work more or less effectively. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these foods and medications.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. Do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is very important to take warfarin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose of warfarin, notify your health care provider right away. Take the dose as soon as possible on the same day, but do not take a double dose of warfarin the next day to make up for a missed dose. Do not start, stop, or change any medication except on the advice of your health care provider.

It is important to manage your lifestyle and habits appropriately when taking warfarin:

• Do not make drastic changes to your diet, such as eating large amounts of green, leafy vegetables.
• Do not attempt to change your weight by dieting without first checking with your health care provider.
• Do not participate in any activity or sport that may result in serious injury.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Avoid eating cranberry products or drinking cranberry juice.

Take warfarin at the same time each day. Warfarin can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Do not take this medication if you:

• are allergic to warfarin or any of the ingredients of the medication
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• are undergoing a spinal puncture or other procedure that may result in uncontrollable bleeding
• are undergoing certain types of anesthesia
• have a high risk of abortion, eclampsia, and preeclampsia (complications of pregnancy often associated with sudden onset of very high blood pressure)
• have bleeding tendencies or blood disorders
• have bleeding tendencies associated with active ulceration or overt bleeding of the stomach, bladder, brain, or lungs, or bleeding associated with other medical conditions
• have malignant hypertension
• have recently had or are planning to have surgery of the central nervous system or the eye or surgery associated with trauma resulting in large open surfaces

This medication should not be taken by anyone who may not be able to cooperate with taking the medication and having the necessary lab tests on a regular basis (e.g., people with senility, alcoholism, or psychosis).

Laboratory facilities must be available to those taking this medication in order to measure the effects of warfarin on blood thinning.

Anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin should not be used by people in any situation where the risk of bleeding might be greater than the potential benefits of the anticoagulant.