SPECIFICATION

Requires Prescription (YES/NO)

Yes

Generics

Warfarin

Used For

Blood Clot

How it works

It contains an active ingredient called warfarin. It is a synthetic, anticoagulant agent which belongs to the coumarin family of anticoagulants. Some people refer to anticoagulants as blood thinners. Anticoagulants decrease the clotting ability of the blood and help prevent a harmful clot (thrombus) from forming in the blood vessels. Anticoagulants are used as treatment for certain blood vessel, heart and lung conditions.

USAGE AND SAFETY

Dosage

Warfarin

Side Effects

Blurred vision, slurred speech, loss of movement, numbness, dizziness, headache, confusion, feeling or being sick, fits, loss of consciousness. These could be a sign of a bleed in the brain , unexplained nose bleeds , black or red faeces which may be caused by internal bleeding , dark red or brown urine which may be caused by problems with your kidneys or bladder , fever , nausea and vomiting , allergic reaction , skin rashes hair loss , diarrhoea , purple discolouration or ‘bruising’ to your skin , a yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes , changes in the amount or colour of your urine.

Drug Interactions

Amiodarone, quinidine, propafenone, amitriptyline, nortriptyline , ibuprofen, aspirin, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone and feprazone , bezafibrate, gemfibrozil,clofibrate, cholestyramine , aztreonam, cephamandole, co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, metronidazole, nalidixic acid, neomycin, norfloxacin, rifampicin, sulphonamides, latamoxef, griseofulvin, tetracyclines and other broad spectrum antibiotics , miconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole , paracetamol, azapropazone, diflunisal, dextropropoxyphene, phenyramidol , tolbutamide, glucagon, phenformin , carbamazepine , vitamin K supplements , sedatives such as barbiturates, ethchlorvynol or glutethimide

Indication

It is indicated to help thin your blood if you have had a heart problem, problems with blood clots or your blood flow. You may also be given Warfarin if you have been fitted with a replacement heart valve.

When not to Use

Do not take Warfarin if you: Are allergic to warfarin sodium or any of the other ingredients of this medicine .- Are pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to become pregnant- Have problems with your liver or kidneys- Have had an infection of the lining of your heart- Have a condition which causes bleeding (such as a peptic ulcer) or makes you bruise easily .

PRECAUTIONS

Precaution

Warfarin may increase your risk of having kidney problems, including acute kidney injury. Check with your doctor right away if you have blood in the urine, decreased urine output, muscle twitching, nausea, rapid weight gain, seizures, stupor, swelling of the face, ankles, or hands, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

WARNINGS

Warning 1

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests, such as an INR, are needed to check for proper dosage and unwanted side effects. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Warning 2

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

Warning 3

This medicine may increase your chance of bleeding. Check with your doctor right away if you notice any unusual bleeding or bruising, black, tarry stools, blood in the urine or stools, or pinpoint red spots on your skin. Avoid picking your nose. If you need to blow your nose, blow it gently.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pregnancy category

Always consult your physician before using any medicine.

Storage (YES/NO)

Store this medicine at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.