Coumadin Oral

In Depth

Generic Name: WARFARIN - ORAL
Pronounced: (WARF-uh-rin)

Coumadin Oral Warning

Warfarin can cause very serious (possibly fatal) bleeding. This is more likely to occur when you first start taking this medication or if you take too much warfarin.

To decrease your risk for bleeding, your doctor or other health care provider will monitor you closely and check your lab results (INR test) to make sure you are not taking too much warfarin. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any signs of serious bleeding. See also Side Effects section.

Coumadin Oral Side Effects

Nausea, loss of appetite, or stomach/abdominal pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

This medication can cause serious bleeding if it affects your blood clotting proteins too much (shown by unusually high INR lab results). Even if your doctor stops your medication, this risk of bleeding can continue for up to a week. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of serious bleeding, including:

unusual pain/swelling/discomfort
unusual/easy bruising
prolonged bleeding from cuts or gums
persistent/frequent nosebleeds
unusually heavy/prolonged menstrual flow
pink/dark urine
coughing up blood
vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
severe headache
dizziness/fainting
unusual or persistent tiredness/weakness
bloody/black/tarry stools
chest pain
shortness of breath
difficulty swallowing

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

persistent nausea/vomiting
severe stomach/abdominal pain
yellowing eyes/skin

This drug rarely has caused very serious (possibly fatal) problems if its effects lead to small blood clots (usually at the beginning of treatment). This can lead to severe skin/tissue damage that may require surgery or amputation if left untreated. Patients with certain blood conditions (protein C or S deficiency) may be at greater risk. Get medical help right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur:

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