What is Warfarin?
Warfarin is a blood thinner. Warfarin prevents blood clots from forming.Warfarin can be used to treat or reduce blood clots that form in veins and arteries. This can help reduce the risk of stroke, heart attacks, or other serious conditions.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of warfarin.
Warnings
If you are at risk of bleeding due to a medical condition or need an epidural or spinal tap, you should avoid taking warfarin. Don't take warfarin every day if you can't.
Warfarin can increase your risk of serious or fatal bleeding. This is especially true if certain medical conditions are present: you're 65 years old or older, you have had a heart attack, or you have bleeding in the stomach or intestines. If you experience bleeding that won't stop, seek emergency medical help.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any other symptoms of bleeding. These include swelling or pain, feeling weak or dizzy, or unusual bruising.Warfarin and other medications can cause bleeding. Inform your doctor of all medications you've recently taken.Consult your doctor before making any dietary changes. Warfarin can be affected by certain foods.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to warfarin, or:
- You have high blood pressure.
- You recently had surgery on your spine or brain.
- You may undergo spinal taps or spinal anesthesia.
- You cannot take warfarin every day.
Do not take this medication if you have a bleeding disorder, such as
- A disorder of the blood cells (such as low red blood cells or platelets)
- Ulcers or bleeding on your stomach, intestines, or lungs;
- Aneurysms or bleeding in the head;
- An infection of the heart lining.
If you are pregnant, do not take warfarin unless you have been told to by your doctor. Although it can cause birth defects in the baby, preventing blood clots could outweigh these risks. Use effective birth control to avoid pregnancy if you are not pregnant. This should continue for 1 month after the last dose of warfarin. Inform your doctor immediately if you fall pregnant.
Warfarin may cause you to bleed more readily, especially if:
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Cancer or low blood count?
- Accident or surgery?
- Bleeding in the stomach or intestines
- A stroke;
- If you are over 65 years old,
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that warfarin will be safe for you:
- Diabetes;
- Congestive heart failure;
- Liver disease, kidney diseases (or dialysis if you're on it);
- A hereditary clotting disorder;
- Low blood platelets after receiving heparin
Warfarin does not pass into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding a child and take this medication, watch for any signs of bleeding or bruising.
Similar/related drugs
Lisinopril, Metoprolol, Aspirin, Furosemide, Carveilol, Eliquis, and Clopidogrel
How to take warfarin?
Follow the directions on your prescription label. Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Occasionally, your doctor may change the dose. You should not take more or less warfarin or for a longer time than prescribed by your doctor.
Take warfarin every day at the same time, whether you eat or not. Never take a double dose.Warfarin may make bleeding easier. If you are bleeding and it is not stopping, seek emergency medical help.You will require frequent "INR", or prothrombin tests (to determine your blood clotting time and your warfarin dosage). This medicine must be taken under the supervision of a physician.
You should call your doctor or make an appointment with him 3–7 days after leaving the hospital if you received warfarin. At that time, your INR must be checked. Keep all follow-up appointments.If you have diarrhea, fever, or chills, or if the weight of your body changes, tell your doctor.
It may be necessary to stop taking the warfarin between 5 and 7 days prior to any medical or dental procedure, surgery, or other treatment. For instructions, call your doctor.
Wear a medical ID tag or carry a card that states you are taking warfarin. You should let any medical provider that treats you know you take this medication.Store away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recall, take the missed dose. If your next scheduled dosage is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. Excessive bleeding can be caused by an overdose.
What should be avoided?
Avoid any activities that could increase your risk of injury or bleeding. Be extra careful to avoid bleeding when shaving or brushing your teeth. After stopping warfarin, you may continue to bleed easily for a few days.
Do not make any dietary adjustments without first consulting with your physician. Warfarin can be less effective if you consume foods high in vitamin K, such as liver, leafy greens, or vegetable oil. You should eat these foods on a regular basis if they are part of your daily diet.
Warfarin may cause unwanted side effects if you consume grapefruit juice, cranberry, noni, or pomegranate. These juices should not be consumed while on this medication.Avoid alcohol consumption.
Before taking any medication for arthritis, pain, swelling, or fever, consult your doctor. Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, diclofenac, and indomethacin are all included. These medications may cause stomach bleeding and affect blood clotting.
Side effects of Warfarin
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, etc., seek immediate medical attention.
Warfarin can increase your risk of severe bleeding.
- Feeling dizzy or weak, with a sudden headache;
- Unusual bruising, swelling, or pain
- Bleeding gums, nosebleeds;
- Bleeding from wounds and needle injections that won't stop.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Blood in urine, bloody or tarry stool;
- Vomit or blood that looks like coffee grounds
Warfarin can cause clots to form that block blood flow. This could result in tissue death or an amputation. Seek medical attention immediately if you are suffering from:
- Pain, swelling, a feeling of heat or cold, changes in skin color, or any discolouration on your body
- Foot ulcers, toes and fingers that are purple, or sudden, severe leg or foot pain
Warfarin is most commonly associated with bleeding.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Interaction with other drug
This medication guide does not list all possible drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medicine.
- Other medicines that prevent blood clots
- Antibiotics or antifungal medicines;
- Supplements that contain vitamin K
- Herbal products: cranberry (echinacea), ginseng (ginseng), goldenseal, or St. John's Wort.
Warfarin can interact with many other drugs. Included are prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Provide a list to your healthcare provider.
