Warfarin sodium (
Coumadin®,
Jantoven®) is a prescription anticoagulant medication licensed to prevent and treat blood clots due to various causes. It does not "dissolve" or break down blood clots. Instead, the drug keeps clot formation in check, allowing the body's natural processes to break them down.
In order to help ensure the safe use of warfarin, medication information should be reviewed with your healthcare provider before treatment begins. Talk to your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have
diabetes, kidney disease,
high blood pressure, or vasculitis. You should also tell him or her about all other medications you are taking, as many can interact with warfarin.
Just like any medication, warfarin can cause side effects, which can be dangerous (although the risk of most dangerous side effects can be reduced by careful monitoring). Possible side effects include but are not limited to:
- Bleeding, including dangerous internal bleeding
- Easy bruising
- "Purple toe syndrome"
- Hair loss.
(Click Warfarin for more medication information, including how the drug works, when and how to take warfarin, and what else you should be aware of before starting treatment.)
