Warfarin Description

Generic Name : WARFARIN

Pronunciation : (war' far in)

Trade Name(s) : Uniwartin, Warf

Why it is prescribed: Warfarin, an anticoagulant, prevents harmful blood clots from forming or getting larger.

When it is to be taken: Warfarin is taken as a single dose every 24 hours. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. To avoid missing a dose, take this medication at the same time that you do something else every day such as eating dinner. Record each dose on a calender when you take it. Do not stop taking this medication unless your doctor tells you to do so.

How it should be taken: Warfarin comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction :
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Periodic laboratory tests, especially prothrombin time, must be done to check your response to this drug so that your dose can be adjusted if necessary. Prothrombin time (PT) tests are repeated frequently when warfarin therapy is started. Once the correct dosage is established and you take your medication properly, the tests can be done less often. Failure to keep appointments for these tests could resulst in the improper control of bleeding.
2. Avoid any activities that have a high injury risk.
3. Special dietary instructions should be followed. Do not increase or decrease your consumption of foods containing vitamin K, such as bacon, liver, green leafy vegetables, and cauliflower, without discussing your diet with your doctor.
4. If you forget to take a dose, take it soon as you remember. However, if you do not remember until the next day, do not take two doses. Take only the scheduled dose. Record the date of the missed dose and tell your doctor at your next visit, since mising a dose of warfarin may alter yor prothrombin time. If you miss doses for two or more days, call your doctor promptly.

Side Effects :
1. Bleeding; vomiting; bloody or black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; red or dark-brown urine; sudden appearance of bruises; bloody gums; excessive menstrual bleeding; new or unexpected pain such as headaches, stomach pain, or backaches. Contact your doctor at the first sign of bleeding. Your dose may need to be adjusted, or an antidote may be needed if bleeding is severe.
2. Fatigue, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, rash, itching. Contact your doctor promptly.

Other Precautions :
1. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors. If you become pregnant while taking warfarin, promptly notify your doctor.
2. Tell your doctor if you are allergic to aspirin or tartrazine.
3. Do not switch to a different brand name warfarin product because it may diffier in effect. Many drugs increase or decrease the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, resulting in bleeding or clot formation.
4. Tell your doctor what presription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. It is important that all doctors and dentists taking care of you know that you take warfarin so that they can avoid prescribing medications that interfere with its effect.
5. Do not stop taking any medications that you are currently taking unless directed to do so by your doctor.
6. Do not take any nonprescription drugs without consluting your doctor.
7. If you have an illness that causes vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever for more than a few days, contact your doctor. These problems can change the effect of warfarin.
8. Before taking warfarin, tell your doctor your entire medical history, especially bleeding problems, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and thyroid problems. Also, tell your doctor if you have an infection or have had recent surgery.
9. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages. Ask your doctor how much, if any, alcohol you may consume.
10. In the event of an accidental overdose of warfarin, contact your doctor, poison control center, or nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
11. Do now allow anyone else to take your warfarin.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep warfarin in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature and away from light.