Coumadin

Pronunciation: WAR-far-in
Generic Name: Warfarin
Brand Name: Coumadin

Coumadin can cause severe and sometimes fatal bleeding. Bleeding is more likely to occur at the start of treatment or with high doses. Patients who have a history of stomach or bowel bleeding, high blood pressure, stroke or "mini-stroke" (transient ischemic attack [TIA]), serious heart disease, anemia, cancer, certain genetic factors, or kidney problems may be at greater risk for bleeding. Patients who have inconsistent international normalized ratios (INRs; a blood test), who have taken Coumadin for a long time, who have had a recent injury or surgery, or who are 65 years old or older are also at greater risk.

Certain blood clotting tests (eg, prothrombin time [PT], INR) will be performed regularly while you take Coumadin. Certain medicines, dietary changes, and other factors may affect INR levels while taking Coumadin. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

Contact your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising. Symptoms of bleeding problems include unusual bruising; bleeding gums; bloody or coffee ground-like vomit; coughing up blood; dizziness; increased bleeding from cuts; increased menstrual or vaginal bleeding; nosebleeds; pain, swelling, or discomfort; pink or brown urine; red or black stools; unusual headaches or weakness.

Coumadin is used for:

Treating and preventing harmful clots that may occur in the veins (venous thrombosis), in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), with a type of abnormal heartbeat (atrial fibrillation), or following a heart valve replacement. Coumadin is also used to reduce the risk of stroke and other problems in patients who have had a heart attack. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Coumadin is an anticoagulant. It works by blocking the formation of certain blood clotting factors.

Do NOT use Coumadin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Coumadin


• you have bleeding tendencies, bleeding problems (eg, hemophilia), severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain blood problems (eg, low white blood cell or platelet levels), or leukemia


• you have active serious bleeding, bleeding in the brain, certain blood vessel problems (eg, aneurysm, dissecting aorta), or inflammation or infection of the heart


• you have active ulcer or bleeding of the stomach or bowel, urinary tract, genitals, or respiratory tract


• you have recently had or will be having eye, brain, or spinal cord surgery; spinal puncture; spinal anesthesia; or any type of major surgery


• you are pregnant, unless you have a mechanical heart valve


• you are unable to have routine blood clotting tests


• you are unable to follow your doctor's instructions properly and do not have someone to help you take your medicine


• you are taking mifepristone, streptokinase, or urokinase

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Coumadin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Coumadin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are able to become pregnant


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances


• if you have recently been injured, fallen, given birth, or had surgery


• if you have a history of stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, ulcer, inflammation), heart problems (eg, heart failure, infection), blood clots, anemia or other blood problems (eg, protein C deficiency, high red blood cell levels), blood vessel problems, or high blood pressure


• if you have a history of liver, kidney, or thyroid problems; yellowing of the skin or eyes; mental or mood problems; high cholesterol; arthritis; diabetes; or cancer


• if you smoke or drink alcohol, or if you have poor nutrition, celiac disease, nutrient or fat absorption problems, or low levels of vitamin K or vitamin C in the blood


• if you have a fever, very poor health, diarrhea, fluid buildup, excessive fat in the stools (steatorrhea), a recent or current infection, or tuberculosis (TB), or if you will be exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged period of time


• if you have a heart valve replacement, an intrauterine device (IUD), or a catheter


• if you fall often, or if you plan to have any surgery or dental procedure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Coumadin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiplatelet medicines (eg, clopidogrel), heparin or other anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), salicylates (eg, aspirin), streptokinase, or urokinase because the risk of bleeding may be increased


• Mifepristone because excessive bleeding may occur


• Topical pain medicines (medicines applied to your skin) because some of these medicines may increase your risk of bleeding


• Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for allergic reactions, asthma, anxiety, gout, heartburn or reflux, HIV, infections, inflammation, aches and pains, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, seizures, trouble sleeping, mental or mood problems, diabetes, stomach or bowel problems, irregular heartbeat, birth control, hormone replacement, cancer, immune system suppression, pulmonary arterial hypertension [PAH], and others), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Coumadin, increasing the risk of serious side effects such as bleeding or blood clots

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Coumadin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Coumadin:

Use Coumadin as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Coumadin is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.


• Do not use Coumadin if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• It is very important to take Coumadin on a regular schedule as prescribed by your doctor. Take Coumadin at the same time each day.


• Continue to take Coumadin even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses, unless directed to do so by your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Coumadin, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Coumadin.

Important safety information:

• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Coumadin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Carry an ID card at all times that says you take Coumadin.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Contact your doctor right away if you may have taken too much of Coumadin.


• Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Coumadin; it may increase the risk of Coumadin's side effects.


• Do not change your activity level or weight without checking with your doctor; the risk of Coumadin's side effects may be increased. Do not participate in any sport or other activity that may cause a serious injury while taking Coumadin.


• Do not change your eating habits without checking with your doctor. Eat a normal, balanced diet. Foods that have high levels of vitamin K (eg, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, liver, certain vegetable oils) may change the effect of Coumadin. Ask your doctor for a list of foods that may affect Coumadin. Tell your doctor if any foods on the list are a part of your diet.


• Check with your doctor before you eat cranberries or grapefruit, or before you eat or drink products that contain cranberry or grapefruit while you are taking Coumadin. Tell your doctor if these products are already part of your diet.


• Elevated body temperature may increase the effect of Coumadin. Be careful to avoid becoming overheated, especially during hot weather.


• Coumadin decreases blood clotting. Use caution while doing activities such as brushing your teeth, flossing, or shaving. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Seek immediate medical attention if you fall or injure yourself. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.


• Tell your doctor if you develop a fever, infection, or severe diarrhea.


• Do not take aspirin while you take Coumadin unless your doctor tells you to. If you already take aspirin for a heart or other condition, talk with your doctor about whether or not you should continue to take it with Coumadin.


• Tell your doctor if you will be traveling or if you will be confined to a bed or chair for a long period of time (eg, car or airplane ride). This may increase your risk of developing a blood clot.


• If therapy with Coumadin is stopped, the blood thinning effects may last for 2 to 5 days after you stop taking it. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Do not suddenly stop taking Coumadin without checking with your doctor.


• Lab tests, including certain blood clotting tests (eg, PT, INR), may be performed while you use Coumadin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Coumadin with caution in Asian patients; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially bleeding.


• Use Coumadin with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially bleeding.


• Coumadin should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. Children may need more frequent lab tests if they use Coumadin.


• If you may become pregnant, you must use an effective form of birth control while you take Coumadin. If you have questions about effective birth control, talk with your doctor.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Coumadin if you are pregnant. It has been shown to cause harm to the fetus. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Coumadin is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Coumadin, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Coumadin:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. No COMMON side effects have been reported with Coumadin. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); back, side, muscle, joint, or stomach pain; black, tarry, or bloody stools; blood in the urine (pink or brown urine); bloody or coffee ground-like vomit; chest pain; decreased urination; dizziness; fainting; fever; numbness or tingling; pain, unusual color, or temperature change in any area of the body; pale skin; purple, dark, or painful toes; shortness of breath; skin sores or ulcers; stroke symptoms (eg, confusion, slurred speech, vision problems, one-sided weakness); sudden, severe pain in your legs, feet, or toes; trouble swallowing; unexplained swelling; unusual bruising or bleeding (eg, nosebleed, unusual bleeding from gums, increased bleeding from cuts, increased menstrual or vaginal bleeding, coughing up blood, bleeding at the injection site); unusual headache or weakness; unusual pain, swelling, or discomfort; wounds or sores that do not heal properly; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Coumadin side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include black, tarry stools; blood in stools or urine; increased menstrual bleeding; unusual bruising or bleeding.

Proper storage of Coumadin:

Coumadin is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Coumadin at home, store Coumadin as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Coumadin out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Coumadin, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Coumadin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Coumadin. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Coumadin resources

• Coumadin Side Effects (in more detail)
• Coumadin Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Coumadin Drug Interactions
• Coumadin Support Group
• 11 Reviews for Coumadin - Add your own review/rating

• Coumadin Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Coumadin Consumer Overview


• Coumadin Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Coumadin Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


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