What is Warfarin?
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant that inhibits the clotting of blood. It helps prevent blood clot formation by reducing the production of factors from the liver that promote clotting. All these factors' production depends on adequate amounts of Vitamin K.
Warfarin medication helps reduce the production of the factor because the tablets antagonize vitamin K. Warfarin tablets are available as generic drugs, which cost less than the brand-name version.
What are the Uses of Warfarin Medication?
Warfarin is used to treat blood clots and helps lower the chance of blood clots forming in the body. The important uses of Warfarin are:
- It reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
- It helps in preventing blood clots with atrial fibrillation and heart valve replacement.
- It helps in treating blood clots in all parts of the body.
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Get A Second OpinionList of Warfarin Side Effects
Warfarin's common side effects are:
- Unusual bruising
- Unexplainable bruises
- Bruises that grow in size
- Nose Bleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Brown Urine
- Vomiting Blood
Some of the serious side effects of Warfarin are:
- Death of skin tissue
- Pain
- Purple toes syndrome
- Pain and purple or dark color in the eyes
Precautions for Using Warfarin Tablets
Before taking Warfarin, talk to your doctor if you’re allergic to it or any other medications and if you have any of these medical histories:
- Blood disorders
- Bleeding problems
- Blood vessel disorders
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Mental disorders
Warfarin Drug Interactions
Warfarin interacts with many herbal, vitamin, and over-the-counter products. It includes medicines that are applied to the skin or into the vagina or rectum. Hence, please keep the list of products you use (including prescription and non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
Interactions with warfarin generally increase or decrease the "blood thinning" (anticoagulant) effect. Your doctor or other healthcare professional should monitor you closely to avoid bleeding or serious clotting problems.
How to Take Warfarin?
- Warfarin should be taken as directed by the physician.
- Follow the directions on the prescription label.
- The doctor can occasionally change the dose.
- The dosage form mainly depends on the age, the condition being treated, and the severity of the condition.
Forms and Strengths of Warfarin Drug
Warfarin tablets are available in both generic and brand forms. The generic form of medicine costs less than the brand form. Find all types of forms and strengths that are available.
| Type | Name | Form | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic | Warfarin | Oral tablet | 1 mg, 2 mg, 2.5 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg, 5 mg, 6 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg |
| Brand | Coumadin | Oral tablet | 1 mg, 2 mg, 2.5 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg, 5 mg, 6 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg |
| Brand | Jantoven | Oral tablet | 1 mg, 2 mg, 2.5 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg, 5 mg, 6 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg |
Conditional Dosage of Warfarin Medicine
Warfarin dosage for the reduction in the risk of death or stroke is 5 mg to 10 mg once per day. The dose can change with time based on the test and severity of the condition.
The dosage for the prevention of clots with heart valve replacement ranges from 5 mg to 10 mg once daily.
Missed Dose
- Missing one or two doses of Warfarin won’t have any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem.
- Some medications won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time.
- If you miss a dose, some sudden chemical change may affect your body.
- Sometimes, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
- Sometimes, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
- If you have taken more than the prescribed dosage, there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions.
- Overdose of a Warfarin medicine can lead to some medical emergency. Seek immediate treatment for serious symptoms if any!
Conditions Based Warfarin Warnings
Allergic Warning
- Breathlessness
- Swelling of throat or tongue
- Hives
Pregnancy
Warfarin should not be used by pregnant women with mechanical heart valves who are at a very high risk of clots. A small clot in the body can directly affect the mother and the body.
Breastfeeding
Warfarin might go through your breast milk. Take the doctor's advice before using it if you are breastfeeding.
Storage
- Avoid contact with heat, air, and light; they can damage medicines
- Exposure may lead to harmful effects.
- Keep the medicine in a safe place and away from children.
- Store at a room temperature of 68ºF to 77ºF (20ºC to 25ºC).
- Carry medications in your bag while travelling to handle emergencies.
- Follow your prescription and heed your doctor’s advice when taking Aquasol.
Warfarin Vs Eliquis
| Warfarin | Eliquis |
|---|---|
| Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant. It’s a drug which inhibits the clotting of blood. This helps in preventing the formation of blood clots by reducing the production of factors from the liver that promotes clotting. | Eliquis is an anticoagulant which reduces the blood clotting and the risk of strokes. |
The important uses of Warfarin are:
|
Eliquis is used for preventing serious blood clots which form due to irregular heartbeat or after a knee replacement surgery. |
Some of the serious side effects of Warfarin are:
|
Some of the serious side effects of Eliquis are:
|
Citations
Interactions of Warfarin with Drugs and Food, ID:10.7326/0003-4819-121-9-199411010-00009 Pharmacogenetics of Warfarin, ID:10.1146/annurev.med.070808.170037 Acetaminophen and Other Risk Factors for Excessive Warfarin Anticoagulation, ID:10.1001/jama.279.9.657Ready to take control of your health journey? Book your appointment now and start your path towards wellness today!
Book an AppointmentFrequently Asked Questions
Some of the serious side effects of Warfarin are:
- Death of skin tissue
- Pain
- Purple toes syndrome
- Pain and purple or dark color in the eyes
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant. It’s a drug that inhibits the clotting of blood. It helps in preventing the formation of blood clots by reducing the production of factors from the liver that promote clotting.
Some of the long-term effects of Warfarin are:
- Unusual bruising
- Unexplainable bruises
- Bruises that grow in size
- Nose bleeds
- Bleeding gums
