Warfarin Sodium is used to prevent harmful blood clots from forming or growing larger. This is given if you have:
• Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in your lungs)
This occurs when a clump of material, most often a blood clot, gets wedged into an artery in your lungs. These blood clots most commonly come from the deep veins of your legs. Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots that travel to the lungs from deep veins in the legs or, rarely, from veins in other parts of the body.
• Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot elsewhere in your body)
The blood clots of deep vein thrombosis can be caused by anything that prevents your blood from circulating or clotting normally. This occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling but also can occur with no symptoms. This can also develop if you have certain medical conditions that affect how your blood clots. It can happen as well if you don’t move for a long time, such as after surgery or an accident, or when you’re confined to bed. Deep vein thrombosis can be very serious because blood clots in your veins can break loose, travel through your bloodstream and lodge in your lungs that will block blood flow.
• A blood clot in or near your heart that could trigger organ damage, heart attack, or stroke
• A mechanical artificial heart valve that is prone to forming blood clots
• A high risk of blood clots forming in the heart. It can be a complication of some heart rhythm abnormalities
Preventing harmful blood clots helps to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Warfarin Sodium is an anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. This comes as a tablet with its brand name Jantoven. Each tablet has an active ingredient of Warfarin Sodium which occurs as a white, odorless, and crystalline powder. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this prescription. This product is available in the strengths of:
• 1 mg
• 2 mg
• 3 mg
• 4 mg
• 5 mg
• 7 mg
• 10 mg
How does Warfarin Sodium work?
The development of a clot in the body is a complex procedure that includes various substances. Warfarin Sodium lessens the ability of the body to form blood clots. It is by hindering the development of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Vitamin K is needed to make clotting factors and prevent bleeding. Therefore, by giving this medication, your body may stop harmful clots. This may also help you prevent clots from getting larger.
The blood clotting process is complicated. It begins when blood platelets clump together and produce chemicals that activate clotting factors in the blood. Clotting factors are proteins that are produced by the liver. Vitamin K is essential for their production. The activated clotting factors cause a protein called fibrinogen to be converted into another called fibrin. Fibrin binds the platelets together, forming a blood clot.
How to use Warfarin Sodium?
The dosage is based on your condition and response to the treatment. Your doctor will monitor you while taking this medication to determine the right dose for you.
This prescription is to be taken by mouth usually once a day. You may take each dose with or without a meal. Don’t forget to take it at the same time every day. You must take it exactly as it is prescribed.
It is important to eat a balanced and consistent diet while taking this drug. Some foods can affect how it works in your body and may affect your treatment and dose. Avoid sudden large increases or decreases in your intake of foods high in vitamin K. If you are trying to lose weight, check with your doctor before you try to go on a diet.
What are the side effects of Warfarin Sodium?
Common side effects:
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Gas
• Bloating
• Changes in the sense of taste
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Headache
• Numbness
Call your doctor at once if you have any signs of bleeding such as:
• Sudden headache
• Feeling very weak or dizzy
• Swelling or unusual bruising
• Bleeding gums or nosebleeds
• Bleeding from wounds or needle injections that will not stop
• Heavy menstrual periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Blood in your urine
• Bloody or tarry stools
• Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
Get medical help at once if you have:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Hot or cold feeling
• Skin changes or discoloration anywhere on your body
• Sudden and severe leg or a foot ulcer, foot pain, purple toes or fingers
Warnings and Precautions
• Do not take more often or increase the dose of this medication. Consult your doctor first before doing it so.
• It is important to eat a balanced and consistent diet while taking this drug.
• This may reason to stomach bleeding. Regular use of alcohol will increase your risk of stomach bleeding. Limit alcoholic beverages.
• You should avoid making sudden dramatic changes to your diet while on treatment with Warfarin. In particular, avoid making big changes to your intake of vitamin K, because this can alter the effect of your Warfarin.
• For pregnant women, this medication is not recommended for use.
• Taking this medicine can make you bruise or bleed more easily. You might get occasional nosebleeds or bleed from your gums and it might take longer than usual to stop bleeding if you cut yourself. It’s important to tell your doctor straight away if you experience any more serious bleeding while you’re taking warfarin.
• It’s recommended that you avoid drinking cranberry juice and taking cranberry products while on this treatment. These could increase the effectiveness of your Warfarin.
• Call for medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction or overdose.
• Do not share this or any of your medications with others even if they have the same symptoms as yours.
