(WAR-far-in)
Warfarin (Coumadin®) is an anticoagulant. Anticoagulants are medications prescribed specifically to prevent and treat the formation of clots within blood vessels, also called thrombosis.
Warfarin is taken orally. It comes in a tablet form. Several different strengths are available.
Show All- Warfarin treatment is monitored by the prothrombin time or PT and the International Normalized Ratio or INR. Your child's physician may want to have blood drawn periodically to check these levels.
- It is very important for you to tell your child's dentist or doctor at the beginning of each visit that he / she is taking warfarin.
- Eating certain foods while you are using warfarin will change the way the medicine works. Foods that contain vitamin K (such as lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, or liver) may make the medicine less effective in preventing blood clots. Carefully follow your doctor's instruction about any special diet.
- Do not give any other medicine, prescription or over-the-counter (OTC), without first talking to your child's doctor.
- Do not use after the expiration date on the bottle / package.
- Keep this medication out of the reach of children.
- If too much medication is given by accident, call the Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC), 513-636-5111 or 1-800-222-1222, or call your child's doctor immediately.
For any medication information related to your child's dosing schedule and / or missed doses, contact the health care provider who prescribed the medication.
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Nausea
- Headache
- Light Headedness
- Bruises or tender swellings without obvious cause
- Severe and prolonged headaches
- Nose bleeds
- Coughing up blood
- Bleeding heavily from the gums after brushing his / her teeth
- Prolonged bleeding from small cuts
- Heavy bleeding at menstrual periods -- such as twice the usual flow
- Swelling and tenderness or pain in his / her abdomen
- Vomiting red blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- Bowel movements that are loose or containing blood or that are black and bad smelling
- Urine that contains blood or that is dark brown or cloudy
- Severe, prolonged back pain, without obvious cause
- If your child falls or suffers a blow to the head, even if he / she does not lose consciousness or have a headache
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
