What is Warfarin?
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant. It’s a drug which inhibits the clotting of blood. This helps in preventing the formation of blood clots by reducing the production of factors from the liver that promotes clotting. All the production of these factors are dependent on adequate amounts of Vitamin K. Warfarin medication helps in reducing the production of the factor because the tablets antagonize vitamin K.Warfarin tablets are available in the form of generic drugs. And generic drugs cost very less than the brand-name version.
Warfarin Uses:
Warfarin is used for treating the blood clots and helps in lowering the chance of blood clots from forming in the body. The important uses of Warfarin are:
- Helps in reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
- Helps in preventing blood clots with atrial fibrillation and heart valve replacement.
- Helps in treating blood clots in all the parts of the body.
Warfarin Side effects
Warfarin common side effects are:
- Unusual bruising
- Unexplainable bruises
- Bruises which grow in size
- Nose Bleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Brown Urine
- Vomiting Blood
Some of the serious side effects of Warfarin are:
- Death of skin tissue
- Pain
- Purple toes syndrome
- Pain and purple or dark color in the eyes
Precautions
Before taking warfarin talk to your doctor if you’re allergic to it or any other medications. The product can contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some allergic reactions and some other problems. Before using Warfarin talk to the doctor if you have any of these medical histories:
- Blood disorders
- Bleeding problems
- Blood vessel disorders
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Mental disorders
Interactions
Keep all the list of products which you use (including prescription and non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Warfarin interacts with many herbal, vitamin, and over-the-counter products. This includes medicines that are applied to the skin or into the vagina or rectum. Interactions with warfarin generally result in an increase or decrease in the "blood thinning" (anticoagulant) effect. Your doctor or other healthcare professional should monitor you closely to avoid bleeding or serious clotting problems. While you are taking warfarin, it is very important to inform your doctor or pharmacist of any changes in the medications, vitamins, or herbal products that you are taking.
How to take Warfarin?
Warfarin should be taken as directed by the physician. Follow the directions which are written on the prescription label. The doctor can occasionally change the dose. The dosage form mainly depends on the:
- Age
- Condition being treated
- How severe the condition is
Forms and Strengths
Generic
Warfarin
Form
Oral tablet (1 mg, 2 mg, 2.5 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg, 5 mg, 6 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg)
Brand
Coumadin
Form
Oral tablet (1 mg, 2 mg, 2.5 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg, 5 mg, 6 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg)
Brand
Jantoven
Form
Oral tablet (1 mg, 2 mg, 2.5 mg, 3 mg, 4 mg, 5 mg, 6 mg, 7.5 mg, and 10 mg)
Dosage for the reduction in the risk of death or stroke
The dosage taken should be 5 mg to 10 mg once per day. The dose can change with time based on the test and severity of the condition.
Dosage for the prevention of clots with heart valve replacement
The dosage starts from 5 mg to 10 mg once per day.
Missed Dose
Missing one or two-dose of Warfarin won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Warfarin tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Allergic Warning:
- Breathlessness
- Swelling of throat or tongue
- Hives
Warnings for some serious health conditions
Pregnancy
Warfarin should not be used by the pregnant women with mechanical heart valves who are at a very high risk of clots. A small clot in the body can directly affect the mother and the body.
Breastfeeding
Warfarin can go through your breast milk. The doctor will tell you whether warfarin.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking warfarin consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Aquasol rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Aquasol.
Warfarin vs Eliquis
Warfarin |
Eliquis |
---|---|
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant. It’s a drug which inhibits the clotting of blood. This helps in preventing the formation of blood clots by reducing the production of factors from the liver that promotes clotting. | Eliquis is an anticoagulant which reduces the blood clotting and the risk of strokes. |
The important uses of Warfarin are:
|
Eliquis is used for preventing serious blood clots which form due to irregular heartbeat or after a knee replacement surgery. |
Some of the serious side effects of Warfarin are:
|
Some of the serious side effects of Eliquis are:
|