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Coumadin®: Uses and Side Effects

Coumadin® is an anticoagulant medication that is used to prevent blood clots. This medication reduces the formation of blood clots. Blood clots can increase the possibility of a stroke or heart attack.

Coumadin® is a brand name of the drug warfarin. Warfarin is generally administered orally and is prescribed to those with conditions that put them at risk for developing blood clots.

Side Effects of Coumadin®

Bleeding of a tissue or organ is the most common side effect of Coumadin®. If you notice the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately. Other side effects include:

bleeding that does not stop
blood in urine or stool
coughing up blood
diarrhea
easy bruising
nosebleeds or bleeing gums
pain in the stomach, sides or back
purple toes/fingers
severe dizziness
skin discolorations
sudden headache, leg or foot pain
sudden numbness or weakness.

This medication can also have some less serious side effects, which include:

gas/bloating
hair loss
loss of appetite
nausea, vomiting.

Warfarin side effects are the same as those experienced by people taking Coumadin®.

Coumadin®: Other Considerations

You should never take Coumadin® if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant while taking the medication. People with blood diseases such as hemophilia should not take it, either. While on Coumadin®, you should discuss any of the following issues with your doctor, including:

diet changes
general health changes
major changes in your environment
travel plans
weight gain or loss.

Another thing that is important to remember when your doctor has prescribed this type of medication is that you must be careful with your intake of vitamin K. Vitamin K decreases the effect of Coumadin®. This is why many people have a Coumadin® diet, which means that they regulate their intake of vitamin K very carefully. Foods that contain a high amount of vitamin K include:

broccoli
Brussels sprouts
cabbage
coriander
green, leafy vegetables
liver
spinach
Swiss Chard.

In addition, people who are taking Coumadin® should avoid:

drinking alcohol, as this can increase the intensity of some of the side effects
eating cranberries or drinking cranberry juice
smoking or using chewing tobacco, as these products can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin.

Coumadin® Drug Interactions

Coumadin® can have serious drug interactions. You should never take any medications of any kind without first checking with your doctor. This includes vitamin and mineral supplements and herbal treatments.

You should especially not take aspirin or any other medications that are considered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These medications taken in conjunction with Coumadin® can cause bleeding in your stomach and intestines and can also interfere with the blood clotting properties of Coumadin®.

In the case of a Coumadin® overdose, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. People who are taking this type of medication are urged to wear a medical alert bracelet in order to make rescue personnel aware of their Coumadin® use.

Resources

Bristol Myers Squibb Company (n.d.). Coumadin for Consumers. Retrieved September 23, 2007, from the Coumadin.com Web site: http://www.coumadin.com/coumadin/

home/consumer_index.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes.

Cerner Multum, Inc. (n.d.). Coumadin. Retrieved September 23, 2007, from the Drugs.com Web site: http://www.drugs.com

/coumadin.html.