Coumadin Side Effects

Coumadin Side Effects, Information and Coumadin Tidbits

What is Coumadin?

Coumadin (warfarin) is used a blood thinner or anticoagulant. It is generally prescribed to prevent or treat a blood clot in the lungs, treat blood clots associated with certain heart conditions or replacement of a heart valve and to reduce the risk of another heart attack. Coumadin is sold under other brand names such as Jantoven, Marevan and Waran.

Coumadin was originally used as a pesticide for mice and rats and is still utilized for this purpose. It was developed in the 1950's and remains the most popular anticoagulant drug in North America. Warfarin is a derivative of a chemical called coumarin that is found in plants. Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K epoxide reductase. Thus, this class of drugs is called vitamin K antagonists.

Potential for Abuse?

No information available.

Coumadin Side Effects

There are several side effects associated with Coumadin, including hemorrhage, warfarin necrosis, osteoporosis and purple toe syndrome. Some other Coumadin side effects include

Serious Coumadin side effects:

• skin changes or discoloration of skin
• purple fingers or toes
• pain in stomach, back or sides
• swelling of your ankles or feet
• low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice
• diarrhea, fever, chills, body aches or flu symptoms
• easy bruising
• bleeding that will not stop
• blood in urine
• black, bloody or tarry stools
• bleeding gum, coughing up blood or nosebleeds
• feeling weak or light headed
• confusion, vision, speech or balance problems
• sudden headache
• sudden leg or foot pain
• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
  

Less serious Coumadin side effects:

• hair loss
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• gas and bloating
  

This is not a complete list of Coumadin side effects. Consult your doctor for a full list.

Interesting Coumadin Tidbits

Here are some interesting tidbits on Coumadin

• A famous person to receive warfarin was the US president Dwight Eisenhower after a heart attack in 1955.
• There are rumors warfarin was used to poison Joseph Stalin.
• Warfarin is known to interact with many other drugs and certain foods. Close monitoring is required.
  

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