Warfarin oral tablet is available as both a generic and brand-name drug. Brand name: Coumadin, Jantoven.
Warfarin comes only as a tablet you take by mouth.
Warfarin is used to treat and prevent blood clots that might result in heart attack, stroke, or death. It's also used for blood clots in atrial fibrillation, heart valve replacement, venous thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.
Warfarin thins your blood and limits your blood's ability to clot. It can cause serious bleeding, which can lead to death. You must have regular blood tests and visits with your doctor to monitor your condition. Don't start or stop any other drug or herbal product unless your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding.
Bleeding problems warning: Tell your doctor if you have an increased risk of bleeding problems, such as being at least 65 years of age, having a history of heart attack or stroke, gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia, diabetes, or kidney problems. Your doctor will decide if warfarin is right for you.
Pregnancy warning: Don't take this medication if you're pregnant unless you have a mechanical heart valve. Warfarin may cause birth defects, miscarriage, or death of a fetus.
Calciphylaxis warning:This medication can cause calciphylaxis. This rare but serious condition is a buildup of calcium in small blood vessels. People with kidney disease are at greater risk for this condition.
Warfarin is a prescription drug. It comes only as a tablet you take by mouth.
Warfarin oral tablet is available as the brand-name drugs Coumadin and Jantoven. It's also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drug.
Warfarin is used to treat blood clots and to lower the chance of blood clots forming in your body. Blood clots can cause a stroke, heart attack, or other serious conditions if they form in your legs or lungs.
Warfarin belongs to a class of drugs called anticoagulants. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.
Warfarin works by stopping your body from forming blood clots. It does this by blocking the formation of blood clotting factors, which are needed to make clots.
Warfarin oral tablet doesn't cause drowsiness. However, it can cause other side effects.
Warfarin oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.
Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with warfarin are listed below.
CYP450 enzyme helps your body to break down and process medications. Drugs that affect this enzyme may affect how your body handles warfarin.
Warfarin oral tablet comes with several warnings.
For people with high blood pressure: You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take warfarin.
For people with history of gastrointestinal bleeding: If you have a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, warfarin may increase your risk of bleeding.
For people with heart disease or stroke: If you have heart disease or a history of stroke, your blood vessels may already be damaged and can easily bleed. Warfarin may increase your risk of bleeding.
For people with low blood count or cancer: Some cancers can cause internal bleeding. You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take warfarin.
For people who have had head trauma: Warfarin thins your blood. This makes it harder for your blood to clot when you're bleeding. You may have a higher risk of bleeding if you take warfarin.
For people with kidney problems: If you have a history of kidney disease, warfarin increases your risk of serious kidney damage. In addition, you have a higher bleeding risk when taking warfarin. For both of these reasons, your doctor will likely monitor your INR (international normalized ratio) closely to check how your blood is clotting.
For pregnant women:Warfarin should not be used during pregnancy except in women with mechanical heart valves, who are at high risk of clots. A clot can harm both the mother and the baby.
Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Warfarin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.
Women who are breastfeeding: Warfarin may pass through breast milk. You and your doctor may decide if you'll take warfarin or breastfeed.
For seniors:If you're over 60 years of age, you may be more sensitive to warfarin. Your doctor may give you a lower warfarin dose.
For children:Warfarin hasn't been established as safe or effective for use in children younger than 18 years.
Your dose of warfarin sodium is based on your prothrombin time (PT)/international normalized ratio (INR) blood test. The typical starting dose is 5 mg to 10 mg once per day. Your dose may change over time based on your test and your condition.
If you're over 60 years of age, you may be more sensitive to warfarin. Your doctor may give you a lower warfarin dose.
People of Asian descent usually respond to a lower dose of warfarin. Your doctor may give you a lower dose.
Warfarin may be a short-term or long-term drug treatment. How long you take this medication depends on your condition. It comes with risks if you don't take it as prescribed.
If you skip or miss doses: Stopping or missing doses can cause complications, such as heart attack, stroke, or blood clots in your veins or lungs. Taking your medication as directed by your doctor, even when you're feeling well, will give you the best chance of avoiding these complications.
If you take too much: Taking too much warfarin can lead to life-threatening bleeding. If you think you've taken too much of this drug, act right away. Call your doctor or local poison control center or go to the nearest emergency room.
What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. Skip the missed dose if it's almost time for your next scheduled dose. Don't use extra medication to make up the missed dose. This could result in dangerous side effects.
How to tell if the drug is working: You may not feel any different if warfarin is working. However, you may notice reduced bleeding. Your doctor will do blood tests to see how well the drug is working.
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes warfarin for you.
Warfarin tablets may be split during therapy. Talk to your healthcare provider to find available pill cutters/splitters.
Store in temperatures from 68–77°F (20–25°C).
You must have regular blood tests and visits with your doctor to monitor your condition. Make sure you don't miss your appointments because your doctor determines your warfarin dose based on your blood tests.
Some foods and beverages can interact with warfarin and affect your treatment and dosage. While taking this drug, eat a normal, balanced diet, and talk to your healthcare provider before you make any diet changes. Don't eat large amounts of leafy green vegetables. These vegetables contain vitamin K. Also, certain vegetable oils also contain large amounts of vitamin K. Too much vitamin K can decrease the effect of warfarin.