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Drugs and Medicinal Substances

Warfarin

Blood and Blood Forming Organ Agents

Warfarin, sold under the brand name Coumadin among others, is used as an anticoagulant medication. It is commonly used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Facts
Drug Class
Anticoagulant medication 1
Mechanism of Action
Decreases blood clotting by blocking vitamin K epoxide reductase, reducing plasma concentrations of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. 1
Approved Use
Prevents deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. 1
First Approved / Isolated Year
1954 1
Significant Risk
Bleeding, areas of tissue damage and purple toes syndrome; contraindicated during pregnancy. 1
Classification
Approval Status
Approved 1
ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own account
B: Blood and Blood Forming Organs 2
Route of Administration
Oral 1
Route of Administration
Intravenous 1
WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account
Core List 3
FAQs

How does warfarin prevent blood clots?

It blocks vitamin K epoxide reductase, lowering the clotting factors II, VII, IX and X.

Warfarin decreases blood clotting by blocking vitamin K epoxide reductase, which reduces plasma concentrations of clotting factors II, VII, IX and X. It is commonly used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

What are the main safety concerns with warfarin?

Bleeding is the common side effect, and it is contraindicated during pregnancy.

The cited adverse effects section states that bleeding is the common side effect. The entry also records areas of tissue damage and purple toes syndrome, and that warfarin is contraindicated during pregnancy.
Connections

Treats

Deep Vein Thrombosis, Conditions
Source Warfarin (Wikipedia)
Pulmonary Embolism, Conditions

Warfarin is a standard oral anticoagulant used in pulmonary embolism treatment.

Source Warfarin (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Warfarin (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead section
    commonly used to prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
  • Infobox, drug class
    Anticoagulant medication
  • Pharmacology section
    blocking vitamin K epoxide reductase
  • History section
    It was formally approved as a medication to treat blood clots in humans by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1954.
  • Adverse effects section
    The common side effect, a natural consequence of reduced clotting, is bleeding.
  • Lead section, route-of-administration statement
    It is usually taken by mouth, but may also be administered intravenously.
  • Lead section, route-of-administration statement (intravenous)
    It is usually taken by mouth, but may also be administered intravenously.
  • Regulatory approval status
View the Source
2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code B
Quote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code B
Blood and blood forming organs
View the Source
3. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines affecting coagulation section
Quote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines affecting coagulation section
Warfarin
View the Source
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