Coumadin (warfarin) is a drug used to decrease the clotting ability of your blood, and help prevent blood clot formation in your blood vessels. It's often used to keep clots from forming in your legs and traveling to your lungs, where they can cause death. It is also used in conjunction with heart conditions and open-heart surgery. Your doctor will need to see you regularly and may run blood tests to ensure that this medication is working properly. Make sure any doctor or dentist that treats you knows that you are on this medication due to bleeding risks.
Common Side Effects
According to Mayo Clinic, common side effects of Coumadin include allergic reactions, liver problems, joint pain, low blood pressure, swelling, fever, paleness, rash, and low red blood cell count. Contact your doctor if any side effect causes you discomfort or does not go away.
Serious Side Effects
There are serious side effects of Coumadin. The FDA reports that one dangerous side effect is bleeding problems. Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms of a bleeding problem: pain, swelling, or discomfort, headaches, dizziness, weakness, unusual bruising, nose bleeds, bleeding from your gums or bleeding from cuts that takes a long time to stop, pink or brown urine, red or black stools, coughing up blood or vomiting blood.
Other serious side effects as reported by the FDA are: death of skin tissue and purple toes syndrome. Notify your doctor immediately if you have pain, color, or temperature changes in any part of your body or if your toes are painful or look purple in color.
Contraindications/Warnings
According to Mayo Clinic, using this medication while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Do not take any other blood thinning medication while on this medication, as it may cause bleeding problems. It is recommended by Mayo Clinic that you wear or carry some sort of identification that says you are using Coumadin in case of emergency.
If you are on Coumadin, do not eat large amounts of leafy green vegetables or vegetable oils. The FDA reports that the large amounts of Vitamin K found in these foods can lower the effect of Coumadin. The FDA also suggests avoiding cranberry juice, other cranberry products, and to avoid drinking alcohol.
