Coumadin
Warfarin Sodium Solution for injection
What is this medicine?
WARFARIN (WAR far in) is an anticoagulant. It is used to treat or prevent clots in the veins, arteries, lungs, or heart.
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is given by infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting. Read More ›
Coumadin can be used to treat the following conditions:
- arterial thromboembolism prophylaxis
- atrial fibrillation
- coronary artery thrombosis prophylaxis
- deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
- deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis
- prosthetic heart valves
- pulmonary embolism
- stroke prophylaxis
- thrombosis prophylaxis
- warfarin anticoagulation
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
back or stomach pain
breathing problems
chest pain or fast or irregular heartbeat
fever or chills
heavy menstrual bleeding or vaginal bleeding
painful, blue, or purple toes
painful, prolonged erection
prolonged bleeding from cuts
signs and symptoms of bleeding such as bloody or black, tarry stools, red or dark-brown urine, spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds, red spots on the skin, unusual bruising or bleeding from the eye, gums, or nose
unusual swelling or sudden weight gain
unusually weak or tired
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
unusual hair loss
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
agents that prevent or dissolve blood clots
aspirin or other salicylates
danshen
dextrothyroxine
mifepristone
St. John's Wort
red yeast rice
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
acetaminophen
agents that lower cholesterol
alcohol
allopurinol
amiodarone
antibiotics or medicines for treating bacterial, fungal or viral infections
azathioprine
barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures
certain medicines for diabetes
certain medicines for heart rhythm problems
certain medicines for high blood pressure
chloral hydrate
cisapride
disulfiram
female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
general anesthetics
herbal or dietary products like cranberry, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, green tea, or kava kava
influenza virus vaccine
male hormones
medicines for mental depression or psychosis
medicines for some types of cancer
medicines for stomach problems
methylphenidate
NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
propoxyphene
quinidine, quinine
raloxifene
seizure or epilepsy medicine like carbamazepine, phenytoin, and valproic acid
steroids like cortisone and prednisone
tamoxifen
thyroid medicine
tramadol
vitamin c, vitamin e, and vitamin K
zafirlukast
zileuton
Where should I keep my medicine?
This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
alcoholism
blood disease, bleeding disorders, hemorrhage, hemophilia or aneurysm
bowel disease, diverticulitis, or ulcers
cancer
heart valve infection
high blood pressure
history of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
history of stroke or other brain injury or disease
older than 65 years
protein or vitamin deficiency
psychosis or dementia
recent surgery or injury
an unusual or allergic reaction to warfarin, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.
You will need to have your blood checked regularly to make sure you are getting the right dose of this medicine. When you first start taking this medicine, these tests are done often. Once the correct dose is determined and you take your medicine properly, these tests can be done less often.
While you are taking this medicine, carry an identification card with your name, the name and dose of medicine(s) being used, and the name and phone number of your doctor or health care professional or person to contact in an emergency.
You should discuss your diet with your doctor or health care professional. Do not make major changes in your diet. Many foods contain high amounts of vitamin K, which can interfere with the effect of this medicine. Your doctor or health care professional may want you to limit your intake of foods that contain vitamin K. Some foods that have moderate to high amounts of vitamin K are green leafy vegetables like beet greens, collard greens, endive, kale, mustard greens, spinach, turnip greens, watercress, and certain lettuces like green leaf or romaine. Some other foods that have high to moderate amounts of vitamin K are asparagus, black eye peas, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cucumber with peel, okra, peas, parsley, and green onions.
This medicine can cause birth defects or bleeding in an unborn child. Women of childbearing age should use effective birth control while taking this medicine. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking this medicine, she should discuss the potential risks and her options with her health care professional.
Avoid sports and activities that might cause injury while you are using this medicine. Severe falls or injuries can cause unseen bleeding. Be careful when using sharp tools or knives. Consider using an electric razor. Take special care brushing or flossing your teeth. Report any injuries, bruising, or red spots on the skin to your doctor or health care professional.
If you have an illness that causes vomiting, diarrhea, or fever for more than a few days, contact your doctor. Also check with your doctor if you are unable to eat for several days. These problems can change the effect of this medicine.
Even after you stop taking this medicine, it takes several days before your body recovers its normal ability to clot blood. Ask your doctor or health care professional how long you need to be careful. If you are going to have surgery or dental work, tell your doctor or health care professional that you have been taking this medicine.
Who should not take Coumadin?
Check with your doctor if you have any of the following:
alcoholism, anemia, aneurysm, anorexia nervosa, aortic dissection, Asian patients, atrial fibrillation, bleeding, breast-feeding, bulimia nervosa, cardiac disease, cerebrovascular disease, children, cholestasis, dementia, dental work, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, eclampsia, endocarditis, epidural anesthesia, fever, geriatric, GI bleeding, head trauma, heart failure, hematological disease, hemophilia, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), hepatic disease, hepatitis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), infants, infection, intracranial bleeding, intramuscular injections, jaundice, labor, leukemia, lumbar puncture, neonates, neoplastic disease, obstetric delivery, peptic ulcer disease, pericardial effusion, pericarditis, peripheral edema, polycythemia vera, preeclampsia, pregnancy, protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, psychosis, renal disease, renal failure, renal impairment, retinal bleeding, spinal anesthesia, stroke, surgery, tobacco smoking, vasculitis, vitamin C deficiency, vitamin K deficiency
Copyright: © 2000-2010 The StayWell Company, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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