Health Encyclopedia

Search the Health Encyclopedia

Taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) - what to ask your doctor

Definition

Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) is a medicine that helps keep your blood from clotting. It is one of several medicines known as blood thinners. This medicine may be important if you have already had blood clots, or if your health care provider is worried that you may form a blood clot.

Below are questions you may want to ask your provider to help you when you take warfarin.

Alternative Names

Warfarin - what to ask your doctor; Coumadin - what to ask your doctor; Jantoven - what to ask your doctor

Questions

Why am I taking warfarin?

  • What is a blood thinner?
  • How does it work?
  • Are there alternative blood thinners I could use?

What will be changed for me?

  • How much bruising or bleeding should I expect?
  • Are there exercises, sports activities, or other activities that are not safe for me?
  • What should I do differently at school or work?

How should I take warfarin?

  • Do I take it every day? Will it be the same dosage? What time of the day should I take it?
  • How can I tell the different warfarin pills apart?
  • What should I do if I am late for a dose? What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
  • How long will I need to take the warfarin?

Can I still take acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)? What about other pain medicines? How about cold medicines? How about antibiotics? What should I do if a doctor gives me a new prescription?

Do I need to make any changes in what I eat or drink or my overall eating habits? Can I drink alcohol?

What should I do if I fall? Are there changes I should make around the home?

What are the signs or symptoms that I may be bleeding somewhere in my body?

Do I need any blood tests? Where do I get them? How often?

References

Aronson JK. Coumarin anticoagulants. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:702-737.

Schulman S, Levine GN. Antithrombotic and antiplatelet therapy. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 76.

Review Date:3/2/2023
Reviewed By:Jacob Berman, MD, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.