Warfarin: Everything You need to Know

Therapeutic Uses :

• Warfarin is a prescription anticoagulant drug used to treat blood clots and to lower the chance of blood clots forming in your body.
• Warfarin is indicated for prophylaxis after the insertion of prosthetic heart valves.
• Warfarin is indicated for transient cerebral ischaemic attacks.
• Warfarin is indicated for the prophylaxis of systemic embolization in patients with rheumatic heart disease and atrial fibrillation.
• Warfarin is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Side effects of warfarin

• Bleeding is the main side effect associated with warfarin.
• Women who are taking warfarin in their Periods may have heavy or increased bleeding from their vagina.
• have bleeding gums
• pass black feces
• pass blood in your urine or feces
• have severe bruising
• have long nosebleeds – lasting more than 10 minutes
• cough up blood or have blood in your vomit
• experience unusual headaches

Dosage

Warfarin is used to thin your blood to prevent clotting that can lead to strokes or heart complications. The dose varies and is adjusted by monitoring you with blood work.

A blood test called an “INR” (International Normalized Ratio) measures blood clotting speed. Your doctor will determine your dose of warfarin based on your INR and likely check your blood a few days later, and possibly adjust your dose.  A typical INR range for a patient on warfarin is between 1.5-2.5 (but doctors might desire a higher number for some patients).

Most patients take between 1-10mg per day depending on patient INR.

• Dose for Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation: Initial dose of 2 to 5 mg orally once a day Then Maintenance dose of 2 to 10 mg orally once a day
• Dose for Prophylaxis of Thromboembolic Stroke: The Initial dose should be 2 to 5 mg orally once a day And then a Maintenance dose of 2 to 10 mg orally once a day
• Dose for Myocardial Infarction: The Initial dose should be 2 to 5 mg orally once a day And then a Maintenance dose of 2 to 10 mg orally once a day for at least 3 months after myocardial infarction.
• Dose for the Prophylaxis of Deep Vein Thrombosis: Initial dose of 2 to 5 mg orally once a day and then a maintenance dose of 2 to 10 mg orally once a day
• Dose for Pulmonary Embolism: Initial dose of  2 to 5 mg orally once a day and then a Maintenance dose of 2 to 10 mg orally once a day
• Dose for Prosthetic Heart Valves – Tissue Valves: Initial dose of 2 to 5 mg orally once a day and then a maintenance dose of 2 to 10 mg orally once a day.