Warfarin

Warfarin

U.S. Brand Names

Canadian Brand Names

Pharmacologic Category

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to warfarin or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have any of the following conditions: Anesthesia given in your spine, aneurysm, bleeding problems, cancer, diverticulitis, heart valve infection, liver disease, low platelet count, pericarditis, polyarthritis, poor nutrition, recent surgery of the eye or brain, uncontrolled high blood pressure, unsteadiness, or warfarin-induced necrosis.
• If you know that you will not take the medicine as directed.
• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to thin the blood so that clots will not form.

How does it work?

• Warfarin changes the body's clotting system. It thins the blood to prevent clots from forming.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Keep vitamin K intake similar from day to day. Talk with nutritionist. Do not make changes in your normal diet. Take limited quantities of green, leafy vegetables (alfalfa, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, collard greens, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, lettuce, spinach, water cress), green tea, liver, and some vegetable oils. Foods such as these can decrease the effects of warfarin.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification.
• Do not donate blood while using this medicine and for 5 days after stopping.
• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.
• You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
• Avoid multivitamins, natural products, and dietary supplements that contain additional vitamin K.
• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
• If you stop smoking, talk with healthcare provider. Amount of medicine you take may change.
• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Bleeding problems.
• Headache.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Signs or symptoms of bleeding.
• Check blood work (prothrombin time/INR). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• Falls or accidents, especially if you hit your head. Talk with healthcare provider even if you feel fine.
• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
• Severe headache.
• Severe back pain.
• Severe belly pain.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Blood in the urine.
• Unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Change in skin color to black or purple.
• Feeling extremely tired or weak.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

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