Warfarin

Uses of Warfarin

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.

 Precautions and Warnings

You should not take warfarin if you are prone to bleeding because of a medical condition, if you have an upcoming surgery, or if you need a spinal tap or epidural. Do not take warfarin if you cannot take it on time every day.

Warfarin increases your risk of severe or fatal bleeding, especially if you have certain medical conditions, if you are 65 or older, or if you have had a stroke, or bleeding in your stomach or intestines. Seek emergency help if you have any bleeding that will not stop.

Call your doctor at once if you have other signs of bleeding such as: swelling, pain, feeling very weak or dizzy, unusual bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood in your urine, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Many other drugs can increase your risk of bleeding when used with warfarin. Tell your doctor about all medicines you have recently used.

Avoid making any changes in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Some foods can make warfarin less effective.

Do not take warfarin if you are pregnant, unless your doctor tells you to. Warfarin can cause birth defects, but preventing blood clots may outweigh any risks to the baby. If you are not pregnant, use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking warfarin and for at least 1 month after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

It is not known whether warfarin passes into breast milk. Watch for signs of bruising or bleeding in the baby if you take this medicine while you are breast-feeding a baby.

Dosage

Take warfarin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not take warfarin in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than your doctor tells you to.

The usual warfarin dose for adults is 10mg a day for the first 2 days, then between 3mg and 9mg a day after that.

The usual warfarin dose for children depends on how much they weigh.

Side Effects

Common Side effects:

• Nausea,
• loss of appetite,
• stomach/abdominal pain

Serious Side Effects:

• Headache
• Melena
• Unusual bruising
• Hematuria
• Bleeding gums
• Heavy or unusual menstrual bleeding
• Minor bleeding or bruising
• Hemoptysis
• Dizziness