coumadin

Coumadin (warfarin) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner). Warfarin reduces the formation of blood clots.

Coumadin is used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots in veins and arteries.

Coumadin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

You should not take Coumadin 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. Do not take Coumadin if you cannot take it on time every day.

Do not use Coumadin if you are pregnant, unless your doctor tells you to.

While using Coumadin, you will need frequent "INR" or prothrombin time tests to measure your blood-clotting time.

Warfarin increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening. Call your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop, if you have black or bloody stools, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Many drugs can cause serious medical problems when used with warfarin. Tell your doctor about all medicines you have recently used.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take Coumadin if you are allergic to warfarin, or if you have:

• hemophilia or any bleeding disorder that is inherited or caused by disease;

• a blood cell disorder (such as low red blood cells or low platelets);

• blood in your urine or stools, or if you have been coughing up blood;

• an infection of the lining of your heart (bacterial endocarditis);

• stomach or intestinal bleeding or ulcer;

• recent head injury, aneurysm, or bleeding in the brain; or

• if you undergo a spinal tap or spinal anesthesia (epidural).

You should not take Coumadin if you cannot be reliable in taking it because of alcoholism, psychiatric problems, dementia, or similar conditions.

Coumadin 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);

• if you are 65 or older; or

• if you are severely ill or debilitated.

To make sure Coumadin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• celiac sprue (an intestinal disorder);

• diabetes;

• congestive heart failure;

• overactive thyroid;

• recent or upcoming surgery on your brain, spine, or eye;

• 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.

Do not use Coumadin if you are pregnant, unless your doctor tells you to. Coumadin can cause birth defects, but preventing blood clots in certain women may outweigh any risks to the baby. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

It is not known whether warfarin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Coumadin?

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

Take Coumadin at the same time every day, with or without food. Never take a double dose of this medicine.

While using Coumadin, you will need frequent "INR" or prothrombin time tests (to measure how long it takes your blood to clot). You may not notice any change in your symptoms, but your blood work will help your doctor determine how long to continue treatment. You must remain under the care of a doctor while using this medicine.

If you have received Coumadin in a hospital, call or visit your doctor 3 to 7 days after you leave the hospital. Your INR will need to be tested at that time. Do not miss any follow-up appointments.

Tell your doctor if you are sick with diarrhea, fever, chills, or flu symptoms, or if your body weight changes.

You may need to stop taking warfarin 5 to 7 days before having any surgery or dental work. Call your doctor for instructions. You may also need to stop taking warfarin for a short time if you need to take antibiotics, or if you need to have a spinal tap or spinal anesthesia (epidural).

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take warfarin. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you are using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose can cause excessive bleeding.

What should I avoid while taking Coumadin?

Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth. You may still bleed more easily for several days after you stop taking Coumadin.

Ask your doctor before taking any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling. This includes acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others. These medicines may affect blood clotting and may also increase your risk of stomach bleeding.

Avoid making any changes in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Foods that are high in vitamin K (liver, leafy green vegetables, or vegetable oils) can make Coumadin less effective. If these foods are part of your diet, eat a consistent amount on a weekly basis.

Grapefruit juice may interact with warfarin and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products while taking Coumadin.

Coumadin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Coumadin: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Coumadin may cause you to bleed more easily, which can be severe or life-threatening. Seek emergency medical attention if you have any unusual bleeding, or bleeding that will not stop. You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body, such as in your stomach or intestines. Call your doctor at once if you have black or bloody stools, or if you cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. These could be signs of bleeding in your digestive tract.

Also call your doctor at once if you have:

• 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, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin, bleeding from wounds or needle injections;

• 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.

Common Coumadin side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, mild stomach pain;

• bloating, gas; or

• altered sense of taste.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Coumadin?

Many drugs (including some over-the-counter medicines and herbal products) can affect your INR and may increase the risk of bleeding if you take them with Coumadin. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this medication guide. It is very important to ask your doctor before you start or stop using any other medicine, especially:

• other medicines to prevent blood clots;

• medicine to treat any type of infection, including tuberculosis;

• supplements that contain vitamin K;

• an antidepressant--citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine, vilazodone, and others; seizure medicine--carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin; herbal (botanical) products--coenzyme Q10, cranberry, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goldenseal, or St. John"s wort.

This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with warfarin. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.