Coumadin

Coumadin is used for:

Treating or preventing blood clots that may occur in the veins and lungs. It is used to treat or prevent blood clots that may occur because of a certain type of abnormal heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) or heart valve replacement. It is also used to reduce the risk of death, recurring heart attack, or blood clotting events (eg, stroke) after a heart attack. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Coumadin is an anticoagulant. It works by blocking the formation of ceratin blood clotting factors.

Do NOT use Coumadin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Coumadin
• you have bleeding tendencies, bleeding problems (eg, hemophilia), severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, certain blood problems (eg, low white blood cell or platelet levels), or leukemia
• you have active serious bleeding, bleeding in the brain, certain blood vessel problems (eg, aneurysm, dissecting aorta), or inflammation or infection of the heart
• you have active ulcer or bleeding of the stomach or bowel, urinary tract, genitals, or respiratory tract
• you have recently had or will be having eye, brain, or spinal cord surgery; spinal puncture; spinal anesthesia; or any type of major surgery
• you are pregnant or may become pregnant
• you are unable to have routine blood clotting tests
• you are unable to follow your doctor's instructions properly and do not have someone to help you take your medicine
• you are taking mifepristone, streptokinase, or urokinase

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Coumadin:

Some medical conditions may interact with Coumadin. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are planning to become pregnant or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines or other substances
• if you have recently been injured, fallen, given birth, or had surgery
• if you have a history of stomach or bowel problems (eg, bleeding, ulcer, inflammation), heart problems (eg, heart failure, infection), blood clots, anemia or other blood problems (eg, protein C deficiency, high red blood cell levels), blood vessel problems, or high blood pressure
• if you have a history of liver, kidney, or thyroid problems; yellowing of the skin or eyes; mental or mood problems; high cholesterol; arthritis; diabetes; or cancer
• if you have poor nutrition, celiac disease, nutrient or fat absorption problems, or low levels of vitamin K or vitamin C in the blood, or if you drink alcohol
• if you have a fever, very poor health, diarrhea, fluid buildup, excessive fat in the stools (steatorrhea), a recent or current infection, or tuberculosis, or if you will be exposed to high temperatures for a prolonged period of time
• if you have a he art valve replacement, an intrauterine device (IUD), or a catheter

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Coumadin. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Heparin or other anticoagulants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), salicylates (eg, aspirin), streptokinase, or urokinase because the risk of bleeding may be increased
• Mifepristone because excessive bleeding may occur
• Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, seizures, mental or mood problems, diabetes, stomach or bowel problems, irregular heartbeat, birth control, hormone replacement, cancer, and others), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Coumadin, increasing the risk of serious side effects such as bleeding or blood clots

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Coumadin may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.