Details

Warfarin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). Warfarin reduces the formation of blood clots. Warfarin is used to treat or prevent blood clots in veins or arteries, which can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious conditions. You should not take warfarin if you have a bleeding disorder, blood in your urine or stools, stomach bleeding, an infection of the lining of your heart, bleeding in your brain, recent or upcoming surgery, or if you need a spinal tap or epidural. Warfarin can make you bleed more easily, especially if you have a history of bleeding problems high blood pressure or severe heart disease kidney or liver disease cancer a disease affecting the blood vessels in your brain a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding a surgery or medical emergency, or if you receive any type of injection (shot) or if you are 65 or older or if you are severely ill or debilitated. To make sure warfarin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have celiac sprue (an intestinal disorder) diabetes congestive heart failure overactive thyroid a connective tissue disorder such as Marfan Syndrome, Sjogren syndrome, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus a hereditary clotting deficiency (warfarin may make your symptoms worse at first) if you use a catheter or if you have ever had low blood platelets after receiving heparin.

Typical Uses

Warfarin is used to treat blood clots (such as in deep vein thrombosis-DVT or pulmonary embolus-PE) and/or to prevent new clots from forming in your body. Preventing harmful blood clots helps to reduce the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Conditions that increase your risk of developing blood clots include a certain type of irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation), heart valve replacement, recent heart attack, and certain surgeries (such as hip/knee replacement). Warfarin is commonly called a "blood thinner," but the more correct term is "anticoagulant." It helps to keep blood flowing smoothly in your body by decreasing the amount of certain substances (clotting proteins) in your blood.

Side Effects

Common warfarin side effects may include pain, swelling, hot or cold feeling, skin changes, or discoloration anywhere on your body sudden and severe leg or foot pain, foot ulcer, purple toes or fingers sudden headache, dizziness, or weakness easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin bleeding from wounds or needle injections that will not stop pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) little or no urinating numbness or muscle weakness or pain in your stomach, back, or sides.

Drug Interactions

• Warfarin+abciximab- Ask your doctor before using warfarin together with abciximab this can cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment in addition to testing of your prothrombin time.
• Warfarin+aspirin- Using warfarin together with aspirin may cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment based on your prothrombin time.
• Warfarin+bromfenac- Talk to your doctor before using bromfenac and warfarin. Using bromfenac together with warfarin may cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment based on your prothrombin time.
• Warfarin+diclofenac- Talk to your doctor before using diclofenac and warfarin. Using diclofenac together with warfarin may cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment based on your prothrombin time.
• Warfarin+fenoprofen- Talk to your doctor before using fenoprofen and warfarin. Using fenoprofen together with warfarin may cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment based on your prothrombin time.

Mechanism of action

Warfarin is an anti-coagulant belonging to the category of drugs called as coumarins. It acts by inhibiting the formation of clotting factors thus preventing the clotting of blood.

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