Warfarin
Introduction
Warfarin is the main oral anticoagulant used in the UK. Oral means it's taken by mouth. An anticoagulant is a medicine that stops blood clotting.
Clotting (thickening)is a complex process involving a number of substances called clotting factors.
Clotting factors are produced by the liver and help control bleeding. They work with cells that trigger the clotting process (platelets) to ensure blood clots effectively.
To produce some of the clotting factors, the liver needs a good supply of vitamin K.
Warfarin blocks one of the enzymes (proteins) that uses vitamin K to produce clotting factors. This disrupts the clotting process, making it take longer for the blood to clot.
This page covers:
Taking warfarin
Side effects of warfarin
Interactions
Other useful information
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 26 Jan 2017
Introduction
Find out about warfarin, including what it's used for, how it's taken, who shouldn't take it, side effects, and interactions with other medicines, food, drink and alcohol.
When warfarin is prescribed
Anticoagulant medicines , such as warfarin,are oftenprescribed for people who've had a condition caused by a blood clot , such as: a stroke a heart attack deep vein thrombosis a blood clot wit
Taking warfarin
It's very important that you take warfarin exactly as directed. Don't increase your prescribed dose unless the doctor in charge of your care advises you to. Warfarin is taken once a day, usually in t
Side effects of warfarin
Bleeding is the main side effect associated with warfarin, as it slows down the blood's normal clotting ability. You're at greatest risk of bleeding in the first few weeks of starting treatment with
Interactions
Medicines Warfarin can interact with many other medicines. The patient information leaflet that comes with a medicine should tell you if it's safe to take with warfarin. Ask your GP or pharmacist if
Other useful information
Surgery and dental work Becauseofthe risk of bleeding, your dose of warfarin may need to be lowered or stopped a few days before having an operation or dental work. Tell the surgeon or dentist that
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