Coumadin and/or Equivalents
Drug | Related Drug Names |
---|---|
Coumadin 0.5mg and/or Equivalents | Warfarin |
Coumadin 1mg and/or Equivalents | Coumadin, Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin 2mg and/or Equivalents | Coumadin, Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin 2.5mg and/or Equivalents | Coumadin, Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin 3mg and/or Equivalents | Coumadin, Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin 4mg and/or Equivalents | Coumadin, Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin 5mg and/or Equivalents | Coumadin, Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin 6mg and/or Equivalents | Coumadin, Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin 7.5mg and/or Equivalents | Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin 10mg and/or Equivalents | Coumadin, Taro-Warfarin, Warfarin |
Coumadin (warfarin)
Coumadin Description
The drug Coumadin, commonly known as Warfarin, is an anticoagulant that is used for blood thinning purposes. It helps in preventing blood clots by inhibiting the creation of the clotting factors. Thus, Coumadin is used to prevent strokes, heart attacks and blood clotting in your veins and arteries.
Conditions Treated by Coumadin
Blood clots are found to occur in the veins of the lower extremities, usually after immobile periods. Sometimes, the clots will break off and house themselves in the blood vessels of your lung. You will start to experience chest pain, shortness of breath and life threatening shocks. Similarly, blood clots have also been found to occur in the atria of the heart during the fibrillation of the atria, and around artificial heart valves as well. There are chances that these blood clots may break off and cause obstruction in the brain’s blood vessel leading to an embolic stroke accompanied by paralysis. Besides preventing formation of blood clots, the drug is also necessary for preventing the extension of the clots that have already been formed. It also helps in bringing down the chances of embolization of the blood clots to other vital organs like the lungs and the brain.
Coumadin Dosage Information
a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations
Your recommended dosage will be prescribed by your healthcare provider based on your sensitivity to the drug. Taking a large loading dose is not advisable since it will increase the chances for a hemorrhagic occurrence rather than resulting in increased protection against blood clotting. The doctors may start your dosage with a 2 to 5 mg of Coumadin per day followed by further adjustments in future. Remember not to ever take the drug together with other medications, especially those that contain Warfarin or Coumarin. It can be taken with or without food but must be taken at the same time each day. Do not undergo dieting while on medication and if you notice any loss of weight, you must inform your doctor immediately. Patients with liver and kidney dysfunctions should be given relatively lower dosages. You must ensure that frequent blood tests are conducted in order to determine the blood clotting time. Accordingly, your doctor will adjust or alter your dosages.
b.) Missing a Dose
You must make sure you take your Coumadin doses regularly. But in case you miss out on taking one, take it as soon as you remember it if it is on the same day. But, by the time you realize, if it is the following day already, skip the missed dose and take the latest dose due. Never ever double up your dose in order to catch up with your missed dose since you may end up having too much of the drug in your body.
c.) Overdosing
Overdosing of Coumadin is not at all advisable since presence of the medicine in your body, at a higher level, will make you increasingly prone to its side effects. In case you suspect an overdose, contact your local poison center or seek immediate medical attention.
Coumadin Warnings
One of the most serious risks that are bound to occur, as a result of a Coumadin therapy, is hemorrhage in a tissue or organ along with necrosis of skin. These, in some cases, may lead to death or becoming disabled for life. When condition of necrosis is severe, the affected tissue or limb is amputated. If Coumadin is suspected to be the cause of necrosis, medication of the drug should be discontinued. Coumadin therapy may increase the release of atheromatous plaque emboli. This will increase chances of developing adverse conditions from systemic cholesterol microembolization, which also include the purple toes syndrome. Other resulting conditions include rash, foot ulcers, abdominal pain, spinal cord infarction, hypertension and pancreatitis. The drug can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects while the baby is born. Therefore, avoid usage of Coumadin while you are pregnant or never get pregnant while you are on Coumadin medication.
Never double its dose based on your own decisions. Blood cell disorders like easy bleeding, stomach bleeding, and blood in your urine or stools or bleeding in the brain should be detected and Coumadin intake should be stopped since the drug will make you bleed more easily. This will hold true especially if you have a history of bleeding disorders, severe heart diseases, cancer or high blood pressure. If you have had a recent brain injury or bleeding in the brain or if underwent a spinal tap or u have received spinal anesthesia, avoid usage of Coumadin. A patient addicted to alcohol or someone with psychiatric problems or dementia should not be prescribed Coumadin. Special tests and dose adjustments are required in case of diabetes, liver disease, congestive heart failure, celiac sprue, connective tissue disorders or if you have low blood platelets. Nursing mothers are advised to stay away from Coumadin since the medicine might pass through to the baby while breast-feeding. What is most important is that, prior to a Coumadin prescription by your doctor, you must inform him about all your medical conditions and also update him regarding any other medications you are pursuing.
Coumadin Side Effects
Side effects like
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain and loss of appetite are common from a Coumadin medication
The blood clotting proteins are affected to quite an extent from the medication. Therefore, this drug can cause serious bleeding and you must inform your doctor if it continues for over a week:
- Frequent nosebleeds
- heavy menstrual flow
- unusual tiredness
- chest pain
- difficulty in swallowing
- prolonged bleeding from cuts
These are a few of the other side effects you may experience.
- Purplish patches on the skin
- changes in vision
- slurred speech
change in amount of urine should be notified to the doctor as soon as they are observed.
Possible Drug Interactions with Coumadin.
- Pain Medication
Many over-the-counter medicines can cause serious problems if they are taken along with Coumadin. Inform your healthcare provider about the medicines you use before you are prescribed a Coumadin medication. For example, commonly used antibiotics like macrolides, will lead to an increase in the resultant effect of Coumadin, which will make you more vulnerable to the side effects.
If you have any questions about buying discount Coumadin online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.
Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
Coumadin and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information