U.S. Brand Names

Coumadin®; Jantoven™

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Warfarin®; Coumadin®; Gen-Warfarin; Novo-Warfarin; Taro-Warfarin

Mexican Brand Names

Coumadin

Pharmacologic Category

Anticoagulant, Coumarin Derivative

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

This medicine may cause severe bleeding. Follow directions for use exactly. Closely review the section in this leaflet which lists when to call healthcare provider.

Please read the medication guide given to you.

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, drink alcohol to excess, 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?

• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

• 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.

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• Use caution to prevent injury and avoid falls or accidents.

• If you fall a lot, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have bleeding problems, talk with healthcare provider.

• You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.

• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have thyroid disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have had an ulcer or bleeding from your stomach or intestines, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have a weakened heart, talk with healthcare provider.

• 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.

• 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.

• Avoid cranberry juice.

• 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 or emergency department immediately.

• 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.

• Nosebleeds.

• Coughing up blood.

• Vomiting blood.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Severe menstrual bleeding.

• Change in skin color to black or purple.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Severe diarrhea.

• An infection.

• Fever.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• 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).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 16:19:09.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:13:34.0

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