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Warfarin

  • You should be given an anticoagulant record book; read this, and always carry it with you.
  • You will have regular blood tests to check the level of warfarin in your blood- these blood tests are very important.
  • You should not begin a weight reducing diet without discussing it with your doctor first.
  • Avoid drinking cranberry juice while you are taking this medicine.
  • Alcohol should only be drunk in moderation.

About warfarin

Type of medicine Anticoagulant
Used for To prevent and treat the formation of harmful blood clots within the body by thinning the blood and/or dissolving clots
Also called Marevan
Available as Tablets
Liquid

Warfarin works by thinning the blood.

Before taking warfarin

Before taking warfarin make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you suffer from a blood disorder.
  • If you have a peptic ulcer.
  • If you have any severe wounds at present.
  • If you suffer from high blood pressure.
  • If you have had recent surgery, or are due for surgery in the near future.
  • If you suffer from problems with your thyroid.
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems.
  • If you consume a lot of cranberry juice.
  • If you have been diagnosed as having an infection of the heart.

How to take warfarin

  • Follow the instructions given to you by your doctor.
  • Your dose should be taken at the same time each day.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • You should be given an anticoagulant record book; read this, and always carry it with you.
  • Warfarin tablets are available in different strengths. Your dose may be made up of more than one strength tablet. Each strength tablet is a different colour to help you tell the difference between them; 0.5mg tablets are white, 1mg tablets are brown, 3mg tablets are blue and 5mg tablets are pink.
  • You will have regular blood tests to check how the warfarin in your blood is working- these blood tests are very important. The extent to which warfarin is working is measured by the INR (International Normalised ratio), a measure of the ability of your blood to prevent clotting.
  • Changing your diet suddenly can affect your warfarin levels, especially if you begin to eat more vegetables and salad or if you change the amount of fatty foods you have been eating. You should not begin a weight reducing diet without discussing it with your doctor first.
  • Avoid drinking cranberry juice while you are taking this medicine as it may affect the levels of warfarin in your body.
  • Alcohol should only be drunk in moderation. Alcohol can also affect the levels of warfarin in your body.

Can warfarin cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Unusual bruising, bleeding, blood in the urine, blackened stools See your doctor- your dose of warfarin will probably need to be reduced
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids
Rash See your doctor if this persists
Hair loss See your doctor if this persists
Feeling or being sick Eat little and often
Stick to simple foods such as dry toast
If you are sick drink plenty of liquid

Important: If you notice any yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) contact your doctor or anticoagulant clinic immediately.

How to store warfarin

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

  • British National Formulary; 54th Edition (September 2007) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF).
  • Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3490		 DocRef:
dils2751		 Last Updated:
21 Nov 2007		 Date of Next Review:
20 Nov 2009		 Version:
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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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