Warfarin is a commonly prescribed blood thinner medication that sells under the branded name Coumadin or Jantoven. If you have been prescribed warfarin, you should know about some very serious side effects and risks.
Warfarin is an anticoagulant, which means it prevents clots from forming in the blood. It can also be used to treat some forms of heart disease.
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Blood clots are dangerous whey they move to other parts of the body since they can cause heart attacks.
According to WebMD, while warfarin will not dissolve a blood clot, it can prevent new ones from forming and keep existing clots from growing larger.
Taking warfarin can save your life if you have blood clots or are at high risk for them. However, you may not know just how serious the drug’s side effects can be, especially when not taken exactly as prescribed,
says the Mayo Clinic. Because your blood will not clot easily on blood thinner medication, you can bleed heavily if you accidentally cut yourself.
Warfarin blood thinner medication was issued a black-box warning by the FDA. This warning is the strictest one issued by the FDA and is meant to call attention to life-threatening risks and serious safety hazards associated with a drug.
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Besides causing minor bleeding, warfarin also can cause fatal bleeding. Serious bleeding is more common during the early stages of treatment,
says Everyday Health.
According to Everyday Health, it can be difficult for physicians to initially determine the correct dosage for warfarin, which can contribute to bleeding hazards. The proper dosage is based on a number of factors like your age, diet, and other medications you are taking. You must take warfarin exactly as prescribed and at the same time each day.
Finally, there are other side effects of warfarin blood thinner medication that warrant immediate medical attention. Mayo Clinic advises contacting your physician if you begin vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, notice blood in your urine or stools, have very heavy menstrual bleeding, notice bruising that occurs without being injured, and experience severe headaches.
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