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Taking warfarin (Coumadin)

Anticoagulant care; Blood-thinner care

Description

Warfarin is a medicine that makes your blood less likely to form clots. It is important that you take warfarin exactly as you have been told. Changing how you take your warfarin, taking other medicines with it or at different times, and eating certain foods can change the way warfarin works in your body. If this happens, you may be more likely to form a clot or have bleeding problems.

What to Expect at Home

Warfarin is a medicine that makes your blood less likely to form clots. This may be important if:

When you are taking warfarin, you may be more likely to bleed, even from activities you have always done.

Changing how you take your warfarin, taking other medicines, and eating certain foods all can change the way warfarin works in your body. If this happens, you may be more likely to form a clot or have bleeding problems.

Taking Warfarin

It is important that you take warfarin exactly as you have been told.

Your provider will test your blood at regular visits. This is called an INR test or sometimes a PT test. The test helps make sure you are taking the right amount of warfarin to help your body.

Alcohol and some medicines can change how warfarin works in your body.

Tell all of your providers that you are taking warfarin. This includes doctors, nurses, and your dentist. Sometimes, you may need to stop or take less warfarin before having a procedure. Always talk to the provider who prescribed the warfarin before stopping or changing your dose.

Ask about wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace that says you are taking warfarin. This will let providers who take care of you in an emergency know that you are taking this drug.

Your Diet

Some foods can change the way warfarin works in your body. Make sure you check with your provider before making any big changes in your diet.

You do not have to avoid these foods, but try to eat or drink only small amounts of them. In the least, do not change the amount of these foods and products you eat day-to-day or week-to-week:

Other Tips

Because being on warfarin can make you bleed more than usual:

Prevent falls in your home by having good lighting and removing loose rugs and electric cords from pathways. Do not reach or climb for objects in the kitchen. Put things where you can get to them easily. Avoid walking on ice, wet floors, or other slippery or unfamiliar surfaces.

Make sure you look for unusual signs of bleeding or bruising on your body.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your provider if you have:

Related Information

Pulmonary embolus
Deep vein thrombosis
Heart attack
Transient ischemic attack
Blood clots
Aortic valve surgery - minimally invasive
Aortic valve surgery - open
Mitral valve surgery - minimally invasive
Mitral valve surgery - open
Carotid artery disease
Heart attack – discharge
Heart failure - discharge
Hip replacement - discharge
Knee joint replacement - discharge
Atrial fibrillation - discharge
Taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) - what to ask your doctor
Heart valve surgery - discharge
Carotid artery surgery - discharge

References

Jaffer IH, Weitz JI. Anticoagulant therapy. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 41.

Kager L, Evans WE. Pharmacogenomics and hematologic diseases. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 8.

Schulman S, Levine GN. Antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapy In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 76.

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Review Date: 1/1/2023  

Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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