COUMADIN (Warfarin) is used to help prevent and treat blood clots in the legs, lungs, and those clots associated with heart-valve replacement or an irregular, rapid heartbeat called atrial fibrillation:
COUMADIN is indicated:
- For the prophylaxis and/or treatment of venous thrombosis and its extension, and pulmonary embolism.
- For the prophylaxis and/or treatment of the thromboembolic complications associated with atrial fibrillation and/or cardiac valve replacement.
- To reduce the risk of death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and thromboembolic events such as stroke or systemic embolization after myocardial infarction.
Your liver makes clotting factors that help the blood clot and prevent bleeding. Some blood clots can cause serious medical problems. COUMADIN blocks the formation of clotting factors in the liver that are dependent on Vitamin K.
COUMADIN can cause serious and life-threatening bleeding. Bleeding is more likely to occur when you first start taking COUMADIN and with a higher dose.
The PT/INR test checks to see how fast your blood clots. Your healthcare provider will decide what PT/INR numbers are best for you. Your dose of COUMADIN will be adjusted to keep your PT/INR in a target range for you.
Factors that can increase your risk of bleeding while on COUMADIN therapy include being 65 years of age or older, an INR greater than 4, highly variable INRs, history of bleeding involving the stomach or intestine, high blood pressure, certain diseases of the brain, heart or kidney, anemia, cancer, physical injury, taking other drugs, and a long duration of therapy.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding problems such as the following: pain, swelling or discomfort, headache, dizziness, or weakness, unusual bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding of gums, bleeding from cuts that take a long time to stop, menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal, pink or brown urine, red or black stools, coughing up blood, or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grinds.