Warfarin: profile and news






Airline Cabin Conditions Not Linked to Blood Clots  17 May 2006
People at risk for DVT may be prescribed the blood thinner Coumadin (warfarin) to keep clots from growing. ... Warfarin interacts with many other medications. ... - Food Consumer,

Safe pesticide alternatives exist  17 May 2006
...that “many of the most commonly used sprays are not only safe, but actually used on humans in medical settings.� He uses the example of warfarin as an anti ... - Tonawanda News,

New options make heart failure a condition to live with  17 May 2006
...brain and cause a stroke. Anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin), are prescribed to prevent that. Especially in the beginning ... - DetNews.com,

Chamomile plus warfarin: a potentially dangerous mix  May 4, 2006
By Megan Rauscher. NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People taking warfarin to prevent blood clots should stay away from chamomile products, Canadian doctors caution. ... - Reuters

Chamomile plus warfarin: a dangerous mix  May 5, 2006
People taking warfarin to prevent blood clots should stay away from chamomile products, Canadian doctors caution. They describe ... - Ninemsn,

Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor Ximelagatran Compared with Warfarin ...  May 1, 2006
After reading the article by Colwell et al., "Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor Ximelagatran Compared with Warfarin for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism ... - Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Reducing Warfarin Medication Interactions  May 8, 2006
...record, we evaluated the effectiveness of electronic medical record alerts and group academic detailing to reduce the coprescribing of warfarin and interacting ... - Archives of Internal Medicine

Don't mix chamomile tea/warfarin  Apr 27, 2006
...drug. The 70-year-old patient had been implanted with a mechanical valve and had been taking the anticoagulant medication warfarin. ... - United Press International

In acute coronary syndrome, aspirin plus warfarin was superior for ...  Apr 17, 2006
2006 APR 17 - (NewsRx.com) -- For patients recovering from acute coronary syndrome, a combined strategy of aspirin plus warfarin doubles the risk of major ... - Therapeutics Daily (subscription) (press release),

Tm Bioscience reports first quarter 2006 results  May 15, 2006
FDA's Clinical Pharmacology Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee on Pharmaceutical Science voted in November 2005 in favor of changing Warfarin's label to ... - Yahoo! News (press release)

Chamomile plus warfarin: a dangerous mix  May 5, 2006
By Megan Rauscher. People taking warfarin to prevent blood clots should stay away from chamomile products, Canadian doctors caution. ... - Seven.com.au,

Internal Bleeding Risk From Camomile Plus Blood-Thinners  May 9, 2006
...a Canadian woman experienced severe internal haemorrhaging when she drank camomile tea and used camomile lotion while taking the blood-thinning drug warfarin. ... - StaffNurse.com,

Data from Italy, Israel and Norway advance knowledge in cardiology ...  May 15, 2006
Study 1: For patients recovering from acute coronary syndrome, a combined strategy of aspirin plus warfarin doubles the risk of major bleeds, but is superior ... - Therapeutics Daily (subscription) (press release),

Herbs, Prescription Drugs Sometimes Don't Mix  May 10, 2006
Mixing ginseng, garlic or gingko biloba, for example, with common heart medications like Coumadin or blood thinners like Warfarin could lead to uncontrolled ... - NBC 17.com,

Former soldier fired at police in house siege  May 16, 2006
Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday how the 50-year-old had suffered from depression since childhood and was taking Prozac, Warfarin and a number of other anti ... - Yorkshire Post Today,

Fatal pulmonary microthrombi during surgical therapy for end-stage ...  May 15, 2006
...coagulation. In addition, they are commonly receiving both systemic anticoagulation (warfarin or heparin) and antiplatelet therapy. ... - The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery

New Study Shows Initial Treatment With 800 mg/day Imatinib ...  May 15, 2006
Examples of commonly used drugs that may significantly interact with Gleevec include acetaminophen, warfarin, erythromycin, and phenytoin. ... - DG News

Letter to the Editor  May 1, 2006
...all causes) is valid. There was a significant difference in the efficacy end point between ximelagatran and warfarin. The use of ... - Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Pesticide laws increase safety, but hurt business  May 9, 2006
Take warfarin for example. Warfarin is the active chemical in some pesticide sprays, but it also serves another purpose, Burton said. ... - Tonawanda News,

Never Mind Long-Haul Flights, I Got DVT Froma Bout of Flu ...  May 9, 2006
...days. It is likely I will be on warfarin tablets for several months to 'thin my blood' and prevent further blood clots from forming. ... - International News Service,

New method promotes pharmacogenomic benefits  May 9, 2006
...used this mouse genetic analysis method, which utilised a computational method for identifying factors that regulate the metabolism of warfarin, a widely used ... - DrugResearcher.com,

Myriad Genetics Begins Phase 1 Trial of Anti-Thrombin Drug MPC ...  May 2, 2006
The drugs currently used to treat this condition are the anticoagulants heparin and warfarin (tradename Coumadin®). These drugs are widely used. ... - Yahoo! News (press release)

Chamomile Tea And Lotion Causing Internal Bleeding In Patient On ...  May 2, 2006
The patient had been implanted with a mechanical valve and was taking an anti-coagulant medication called warfarin, designed to thin the blood and reduce the ... - Medical News Today (press release),

Severe intracranial stenosis represents a major risk factor for ...  May 5, 2006
The researchers' findings are part of a larger multi-site clinical investigation - specifically, the Warfarin versus Aspirin for Symptomatic Intracranial ... - Xagena.it,

HemoSense Receives StarLine's Rookie of the Year Award  May 11, 2006
HemoSense develops, manufactures and markets easy-to-use, handheld blood coagulation systems for monitoring patients taking warfarin. ... - Business Wire (press release),

Antiplatelets Recommended For Prevention Of Recurrent Stroke Or ...  Apr 22, 2006
Results of the Warfarin-Aspirin Recurrent Stroke Study published in the journal "Cerebrovascular Diseases" show no benefit of warfarin over aspirin for the ... - Medical News Today (press release),

Myriad Genetics: clogging up the anti-thrombin drug race?  May 5, 2006
...the thrombosis treatments market offers great commercial potential, Myriad Genetics is a relatively late entrant in the race to replace warfarin, and thus its ... - Pharmaceutical Business Review

Bosses 'conspired to keep price of nhs drugs high'  May 5, 2006
...together to dishonestly abuse the prevailing system in place as regards the two specified drugs known as the antibiotic family of drugs and the warfarin family ... - ic SouthLondon.co.uk,

Proximal Deep Vein Thrombosis After Hip Replacement for Oncologic ...  May 1, 2006
...similar 13 . Patients who were found to have a deep vein thrombosis were treated with warfarin for six months. Preoperative duplex ... - Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery

Legislators urge DOH to recall inadequately labeled supplement  Apr 17, 2006
...that the product is not for children under 15, or pregnant and nursing women, it fails to clearly note the risk of taking CoQ10 for those on Warfarin, a common ... - eTaiwan News,

Encysive Evasive About Thelin  May 11, 2006
So why was the letter issued? One theory speculates that the FDA had concerns about Thelin's interaction with Warfarin, another common treatment for PAH. ... - Motley Fool

Roche research sheds light on drug metabolism  May 9, 2006
The researchers used a computational method for mouse genetic analysis to identify factors that regulate the metabolism of warfarin, a widely used anticoagulant ... - Pharmaceutical Business Review

Genetic Research Method Sheds Light on Drug Metabolism  May 9, 2006
...of General Medical Sciences, utilized a computational method for mouse genetic analysis to identify factors that regulate the metabolism of warfarin, a widely ... - GenomicsProteomics.com (press release),

Pregnant women are orphaned from the tremendous progress in drug ...  May 10, 2006
Programs: - It took almost four years of marketing before the link between thalidomide and limb defects was recognized - Malformations with warfarin took over ... - Canada NewsWire (press release),

Defective Heart Valves, Pacemakers, and Defibrillators Propose New ...  Apr 20, 2006
These patients must take anticoagulation medicine, like Warfarin (coumadin) to prevent deadly blood clots. Years after their removal from the market, St. ... - PR Web (press release),

HemoSense Reports Fiscal 2006 Second Quarter Revenue up 125% ...  Apr 27, 2006
...easy-to-use, handheld blood coagulation monitoring systems for use by patients and healthcare professionals in the management of warfarin medication -- today ... - Genetic Engineering News,

Extraordinary measures look better once you're ill  Apr 28, 2006
...severe internal bleeding. The woman had a heart condition and had been prescribed warfarin, a blood-thinning medication. Doctors in ... - Globe and Mail,

Lifetime of meds needed for heart out of rhythm  Apr 30, 2006
...your symptoms and situation. Warfarin (Coumadin), a blood-thinning medication, helps reduce the risk of stroke. Most people also ... - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette,

Myriad strong for `06, beyond  May 2, 2006
...candidate has shown promise in 27 preclinical studies and that it may offer benefits over current anti-thrombosis treatments, including heparin and warfarin. ... - Monsters and Critics.com,

Doctors attack leading cause of stroke  May 5, 2006
Medicines include drugs that control heart rhythm or slow rapid heart rate and anticoagulants such as warfarin that reduce the risk of stroke. ... - San Luis Obispo Tribune,

Atrial fibrillation: beyond drug therapies  May 7, 2006
...rhythm. Moreover, the atria continued to fibrillate, so anticlotting medication, usually warfarin (Coumadin), was still needed. ... - ITP.net,

Nine pharmacists on trial for controlling drug prices  May 7, 2006
...and others engaged in the provision of medicinal products by dishonestly fixing and maintaining the price and manipulating the supply of warfarin and marevan ... - This Is Hertfordshire,

Localization in clinical neurology  May 3, 2006
...disease. Aspirin is still widely used for ischaemic stroke, and warfarin in fewer cases—both of which are very old treatments. ... - Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine

CDC Calls for Reproductive Life Plans  Apr 21, 2006
The oral anticoagulant Coumadin. Coumadin (warfarin), which is used for the control of blood clotting, has been demonstrated to be a teratogen. ... - MedPage Today,

Not all guidelines on treating heart failure in adults apply to ...  May 2, 2006
Meta-analyses of the two largest studies of anti-thrombotic therapy have not shown a difference in mortality or vascular events between warfarin and aspirin. ... - AAP News (subscription)

Herbs the tonic for back pain  Apr 19, 2006
Devil's Claw could cause peptic upset in some patients, and White Willow Bark could interact with the blood-thinning drug warfarin. ... - NEWS.com.au,

Dealing with the sunscreen dilemma  Apr 16, 2006
A: Feverfew has the potential to interact with a great many medications, especially blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin), aspirin or Plavix (clopidogrel). ... - Houston Chronicle,


Other information


Indication
For the treatment of retinal vascular occlusion, pulmonary embolism, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and flutter, cerebral embolism;, transient cerebral ischaemia, arterial embolism and thrombosis.

Pharmacology
Warfarin, a coumarin anticoagulant, is a racemic mixture of two active isomers. It is used in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease including venous thrombosis, thromboembolism, and pulmonary embolism as well as for the prevention of ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Mechanism Of Action
Warfarin inhibits vitamin K reductase, resulting in depletion of the reduced form of vitamin K (vitamin KH2). As vitamin K is a cofactor for the carboxylation of glutamate residues on the N-terminal regions of vitamin K-dependent proteins, this limits the gamma-carboxylation and subsequent activation of the vitamin K-dependent coagulant proteins. The synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X and anticoagulant proteins C and S is inhibited. Depression of three of the four vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors (factors II, VII, and X) results in decresed prothrombin levels and a decrease in the amount of thrombin generated and bound to fibrin. This reduces the thrombogenicity of clots.

Drug Category
Rodenticides; Anticoagulants; Coumarin and Indandione Derivatives; ATC:B01AA03

Brand Names/Synonyms
200 Coumarin; Arab Rat Death; Arab Rat Deth; Athrombin; Athrombin-K; Athrombine-K; Brumolin; Caswell No. 903; Co-Rax; Compound 42; Coumadin; Coumafen; Coumafene; Coumaphen; Coumaphene; Coumarins; Coumefene; D-Con; Dethmor; Dethnel; Dicusat E; Eastern States Duocide; Fasco Fascrat Powder; Frass-Ratron; HSDB 1786; Jantoven; Killgerm Sewarin P; Kumader; Kumadu; Kumatox; Kypfarin; Latka 42; Liqua-Tox; Maag Rattentod Cum; Mar-Frin; Marevan; Martin's Mar-Frin; Maveran; Mouse Pak; Panwarfin; Place-Pax; Prothromadin; RAX; Rat & Mice Bait; Rat &Amp; Mice Bait; Rat-Gard; Rat-Kill; Rat-Mix; Rat-Ola; Rat-Trol; Ratorex; Ratox; Ratoxin; Ratron; Ratron G; Ratten-Koederrohr; Rattenstreupulver Neu Schacht; Rattentraenke; Rattunal; Rcr Grey Squirrel Killer Concentrate; Rcra Waste Number P001; Ro-Deth; Rodafarin; Rodafarin C; Rodex; Rodex Blox; Rosex; Rough & Ready Mouse Mix; Rough &Amp; Ready Mouse Mix; Sakarat; Sewarin; Sofarin; Solfarin; Sorexa Plus; Temus W; Tintorane; Tox-Hid; Twin Light Rat Away; Vampirinip Ii; Vampirinip Iii; W.A.R.F. 42; Waran; Warf 42; Warf Cmpd. 42; Warf Compound 42; Warfarat; Warfarin; Warfarin Plus; Warfarin Q; Warfarin Sodium; Warfarine; Warficide; Warfilone; Zoocoumarin

Dosage Forms
POWDER FOR SOLUTION; TABLET

Absorption
Not Available

Interactions
-->Interactions for Warfarin:

Drugs may interact with COUMADIN through pharmacodynamic or pharmacokinetic mechanisms. Pharmacodynamic mechanisms for drug interactions with COUMADIN are synergism (impaired hemostasis, reduced clotting factor synthesis), competitive antagonism (vitamin K), and altered physiologic control loop for vitamin K metabolism (hereditary resistance). Pharmacokinetic mechanisms for drug interactions with COUMADIN are mainly enzyme induction, enzyme inhibition, and reduced plasma protein binding. It is important to note that some drugs may interact by more than one mechanism.

The following factors, alone or in combination, may be responsible for INCREASED PT/INR response

ENDOGENOUS FACTORS

blood dyscrasias —

diarrhea

hyperthyroidism

see CONTRAINDICATIONS

elevated temperature

poor nutritional state

cancer

hepatic disorders

steatorrhea

collagen vascular disease

infectious hepatitis

vitamin K deficiency

congestive heart failure

jaundice

 

EXOGENOUS FACTORS

Potential drug interactions with COUMADIN are listed below by drug class and by specific drugs.

Classes of Drugs

5-lipoxygenase Inhibitor

Antiparasitic/Antimicrobials

HMG-CoA Reductase

Adrenergic Stimulants, Central

Antiplatelet Drugs/Effects

Inhibitors

Alcohol Abuse Reduction

Antithyroid Drugs

Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist

Preparations

Beta-Adrenergic Blockers

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Analgesics

Cholelitholytic Agents

Narcotics,prolonged

Anesthetics, Inhalation

Diabetes Agents, Oral

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory

Antiandrogen

Diuretics

Agents

Antiarrhythmics

Fungal Medications, Intravaginal,

Psychostimulants

Antibiotics

Systemic

Pyrazolones

Aminoglycosides (oral)

Gastric Acidity and Peptic

Salicylates

Cephalosporins, parenteral

Ulcer Agents

Selective Serotonin

Macrolides

Gastrointestinal

Reuptake Inhibitors

Miscellaneous

Prokinetic Agents

Steroids, Adrenocortical

Penicillins, intravenous,

Ulcerative Colitis Agents

Steroids, Anabolic (17-Alkyl

high dose

Gout Treatment Agents

Testosterone Derivatives)

Quinolones (fluoroquinolones)

Hemorrheologic Agents

Thrombolytics

Sulfonamides, long acting

Hepatotoxic Drugs

Thyroid Drugs

Tetracyclines

Hyperglycemic Agents

Tuberculosis Agents

Anticoagulants

Hypertensive Emergency Agents

Uricosuric Agents

Anticonvulsants

Hypnotics

Vaccines

Antidepressants

Hypolipidemics

Vitamins

Antimalarial Agents

Bile Acid-Binding Resins

 

Antineoplastics

Fibric Acid Derivatives

 

Specific Drugs Reported

acetaminophen

fluconazole

penicillin G,intravenous

alcohol

fluorouracil

pentoxifylline

allopurinol

fluoxetine

phenylbutazone

aminosalicylic acid

flutamide

phenytoin

amiodarone HCl

fluvastatin

piperacillin

aspirin

fluvoxamine

piroxicam

atorvastatin

gemfibrozil

pravastatin

azithromycin

glucagon

prednisone

capecitabine

halothane

propafenone

cefamandole

heparin

propoxyphene

cefazolin

ibuprofen

propranolol

cefoperazone

ifosfamide

propylthiouracil

cefotetan

indomethacin

quinidine

cefoxitin

influenza virus vaccine

quinine

ceftriaxone

itraconazole

ranitidine

celecoxib

ketoprofen

rofecoxib

cerivastatin

ketorolac

sertraline

chenodiol

levamisole

simvastatin

chloramphenicol

levofloxacin

stanozolol

chloral hydrate

levothyroxine

streptokinase

chlorpropamide

liothyronine

sulfamethizole

cholestyramine

lovastatin

sulfamethoxazole

cimetidine

mefenamic acid

sulfinpyrazone

ciprofloxacin

methimazole

sulfisoxazole

cisapride

methyldopa

sulindac

clarithromycin

methylphenidate

tamoxifen

clofibrate

methylsalicylate ointment

tetracycline

COUMADIN overdose

(topical)

thyroid

cyclophosphamide

metronidazole

ticarcillin

danazol

miconazole

ticlopidine

dextran

(intravaginal,systemic)

tissue plasminogen

dextrothyroxine

moricizine hydrochloride

activator (t-PA)

diazoxide

nalidixic acid

tolbutamide

diclofenac

naproxen

tramadol

dicumarol

neomycin

trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole

diflunisal

norfloxacin

urokinase

disulfiram

ofloxacin

valproate

doxycycline

olsalazine

vitamin E

erythromycin

omeprazole

zafirlukast

ethacrynic acid

oxaprozin

zileuton

fenofibrate

oxymetholone

 

fenoprofen

paroxetine

 

also: other medications affecting blood elements which may modify hemostasis dietary deficiencies prolonged hot weather unreliable PT/INR determinations

increased and decreased PT/INR responses have been reported.

The following factors, alone or in combination, may be responsible for DECREASED PT/INR response

ENDOGENOUS FACTORS

edema

hypothyroidism

hereditary coumarin resistance

nephrotic syndrome

hyperlipemia

 

EXOGENOUS FACTORS

Potential drug interactions with COUMADIN (Warfarin Sodium) are listed below by drug class and by specific drugs.

Classes of Drugs

Adrenal Cortical Steroid Inhibitors

Antithyroid Drugs

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Antacids

Barbiturates

Immunosuppressives

Antianxiety Agents

Diuretics

Oral Contraceptives,

Antiarrhythmics

Enteral Nutritional Supplements

Estrogen Containing

Antibiotics

Fungal Medications, Systemic

Selective Estrogen Receptor

Anticonvulsants

Gastric Acidity and

Modulators

Antidepressants

Peptic Ulcer Agents

Steroids, Adrenocortical

Antihistamines

Hypnotics

Tuberculosis Agents

Antineoplastics

Hypolipidemics

Vitamins

Antipsychotic Medications

Bile Acid-Binding Resins

 

Specific Drugs Reported

alcohol

COUMADIN underdosage

phenytoin

aminoglutethimide

cyclophosphamide

pravastatin

amobarbital

dicloxacillin

prednisone

atorvastatin

ethchlorvynol

primidone

azathioprine

glutethimide

propylthiouracil

butabarbital

griseofulvin

raloxifene

butalbital

haloperidol

ranitidine

carbamazepine

meprobamate

rifampin

chloral hydrate

6-mercaptopurine

secobarbital

chlordiazepoxide

methimazole

spironolactone

chlorthalidone

moricizine hydrochloride

sucralfate

cholestyramine

nafcillin

trazodone

clozapine

paraldehyde

vitamin C (high dose)

corticotropin

pentobarbital

vitamin K

cortisone

phenobarbital

 

also: diet high in vitamin K unreliable PT/INR determinations

Increased and decreased PT/INR responses have been reported.

Because a patient may be exposed to a combination of the above factors, the net effect of COUMADIN on PT/INR response may be unpredictable. More frequent PT/INR monitoring is therefore advisable. Medications of unknown interaction with coumarins are best regarded with caution. When these medications are started or stopped, more frequent PT/INR monitoring is advisable.

It has been reported that concomitant administration of warfarin and ticlopidine may be associated with cholestatic hepatitis.

Botanical (Herbal) Medicines

Caution should be exercised when botanical medicines (botanicals) are taken concomitantly with COUMADIN. Few adequate, well-controlled studies exist evaluating the potential for metabolic and/or pharmacologic interactions between botanicals and COUMADIN. Due to a lack of manufacturing standardization with botanical medicinal preparations, the amount of active ingredients may vary. This could further confound the ability to assess potential interactions and effects on anticoagulation. It is good practice to monitor the patient’s response with additional PT/INR determinations when initiating or discontinuing botanicals.

Specific botanicals reported to affect COUMADIN therapy include the following:

• Bromelains, danshen, dong quai (Angelica sinensis), garlic, Ginkgo biloba, and ginseng are associated most often with an INCREASE in the effects of COUMADIN.

• Coenzyme Q10 (ubidecarenone) and St. John’s wort are associated most often with a DECREASE in the effects of COUMADIN.

Some botanicals may cause bleeding events when taken alone (e.g., garlic and Ginkgo biloba) and may have anti-coagulant, antiplatelet, and/or fibrinolytic properties. These effects would be expected to be additive to the anticoagulant effects of COUMADIN. Conversely, other botanicals may have coagulant properties when taken alone or may decrease the effects of COUMADIN.

Some botanicals that may affect coagulation are listed below for reference; however, this list should not be considered all-inclusive. Many botanicals have several common names and scientific names. The most widely recognized common botanical names are listed.

Botanticals that contain coumarins with potential anticoagulant effects:

Alfalfa

Celery

Parsley

Angelica (Dong Quai)

Chamomile

Passion Flower

Aniseed

(German and Roman)

Prickly Ash (Northern)

Arnica

Dandelion3

Quassia

Asa Foetida

Fenugreek

Red Clover

Bogbean1

Horse Chestnut

Sweet Clover

Boldo

Horseradish

Sweet Woodruff

Buchu

Licorice3

Tonka Beans

Capsicum2

Meadowsweet1

Wild Carrot

Cassia3

Nettle

Wild Lettuce

Miscellaneous botanticals with anticoagulant properties:

Bladder Wrack (Fucus)

Pau d’arco

 

Botanicals that contain salicylate and/or have antiplatelet properties:

Agrimony4

Dandelion3

Meadowsweet1

Aloe Gel

Feverfew

Onion5

Aspen

Garlic5

Policosanol

Black Cohosh

German Sarsaparilla

Poplar

Black Haw

Ginger

Senega

Bogbean1

Ginkgo Biloba

Tamarind

Cassia3

Ginseng (Panax)5

Willow

Clove

Licorice3

Wintergreen

Botanticals with fibrinolytic properties:

Bromelains

Garlic5

Inositol Nicotinate

Capsicum2

Ginseng (Panax)5

Onion5

Botanticals with coagulant properties:

Agrimony4 Mistletoe

Yarrow

Goldenseal

 

1 Contains coumarins and salicylate.

2 Contains coumarins and has fibrinolytic properties.

3 Contains coumarins and has antiplatelet properties.

4 Contains salicylate and has coagulant properties.

5 Has antiplatelet and fibrinolytic properties.

Effect on Other Drugs

Coumarins may also affect the action of other drugs. Hypoglycemic agents (chlorpropamide and tolbutamide) and anticonvulsants (phenytoin and phenobarbital) may accumulate in the body as a result of interference with either their metabolism or excretion.

Special Risk Patients

COUMADIN (Warfarin Sodium) is a narrow therapeutic range (index) drug, and caution should be observed when warfarin sodium is administered to certain patients such as the elderly or debilitated or when administered in any situation or physical condition where added risk of hemorrhage is present.

Intramuscular (I.M.) injections of concomitant medications should be confined to the upper extremities which permits easy access for manual compression, inspections for bleeding and use of pressure bandages.

Caution should be observed when COUMADIN (or warfarin) is administered concomitantly with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, to be certain that no change in anticoagulation dosage is required. In addition to specific drug interactions that might affect PT/INR, NSAIDs, including aspirin, can inhibit platelet aggregation, and can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, peptic ulceration and/or perforation.

Acquired or inherited warfarin resistance should be suspected if large daily doses of COUMADIN are required to maintain a patient’s PT/INR within a normal therapeutic range.

SIDE EFFECTS

Potential adverse reactions to COUMADIN may include:

• Fatal or nonfatal hemorrhage from any tissue or organ. This is a consequence of the anticoagulant effect. The signs, symptoms, and severity will vary according to the location and degree or extent of the bleeding. Hemorrhagic complications may present as paralysis; paresthesia; headache, chest, abdomen, joint, muscle or other pain; dizziness; shortness of breath, difficult breathing or swallowing; unexplained swelling; weakness; hypotension; or unexplained shock. Therefore, the possibility of hemorrhage should be considered in evaluating the condition of any anticoagulated patient with complaints which do not indicate an obvious diagnosis. Bleeding during anticoagulant therapy does not always correlate with PT/INR.

• Bleeding which occurs when the PT/INR is within the therapeutic range warrants diagnostic investigation since it may unmask a previously unsuspected lesion, e.g., tumor, ulcer, etc.

• Necrosis of skin and other tissues.

• Adverse reactions reported infrequently include: hypersensitivity/allergic reactions, systemic cholesterol microembolization, purple toes syndrome, hepatitis, cholestatic hepatic injury, jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, vasculitis, edema, fever, rash, dermatitis, including bullous eruptions, urticaria, abdominal pain including cramping, flatulence/bloating, fatigue, lethargy, malaise, asthenia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, headache, dizziness, taste perversion, pruritus, alopecia, cold intolerance, and paresthesia including feeling cold and chills.

Rare events of tracheal or tracheobronchial calcification have been reported in association with long-term warfarin therapy. The clinical significance of this event is unknown.

Priapism has been associated with anticoagulant administration, however, a causal relationship has not been established.

 


Chemical IUPAC Name
2-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenyl-butyl)-chromen-4-one

Chemical Formula
C19H16O4

Half Life
1 week

Drug Type
Approved Drug

# Accession No
APRD00341

CAS Registry Number
81-81-2


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