Warfarin

Warfarin is an anticoagulant also often called a blood thinner that helps prevent blood clots from forming in your body. Blood thinners help reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke and blockages in your arteries and veins by preventing blood clots from forming and growing.

How does it work?
Although they are called blood thinners, anticoagulants do not really thin your blood, but decrease its ability to clot (coagulate). Reducing the likelihood of clotting means fewer harmful blood clots will form, which could potentially block your blood vessels causing a heart attack or stroke.

How should I take it?
Before prescribing warfarin, your doctor will first do a blood test (called INR International Normalized Ratio) to decide how much medication you need. He or she will also decide how often you will need this blood test. After the test, your dose of warfarin may change. Your doctor will adjust your dose based on your needs. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how and when to take your medication.

What should I avoid while taking this medicine?
Avoid smoking and limit your use of alcohol. Also, watch your diet because certain foods may change the way warfarin works. Large doses of vitamin K (found in fish, liver, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts) may decrease the effects of the medicine. You dont have to stop eating these foods, but you should be conscious about eating too much of them, or making sudden changes to your diet. Also, try to avoid cutting yourself. Use an electric shaver, soft-bristled toothbrush. You may also want to floss gently and wear gloves while gardening and washing dishes.

What if I am taking other medicines?
Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medication including prescription, non-prescription, over-the-counter or natural health products (vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines, probiotics and other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids).

What else should I tell my doctor?
If you need to visit your dentist, be sure to tell him or her that you are taking warfarin as well as your other doctors and health-care providers. Ask your pharmacist for a wallet card that says you are taking warfarin. You may also want to wear a medical alert bracelet.

What are some common side effects?
Warfarin may cause you to bleed more than usual if you cut yourself or may cause easy bruising. Report any physical changes to your doctor.

Lifestyle changes
Eating a healthy diet that is lower in fat, especially saturated and trans fats, being smoke free, limiting alcohol use, being physically active and reducing stress are also important in lowering the risk of heart disease. Talk to your health-care practitioner about how you can achieve these lifestyle changes.

Where can I get more information?
For warnings, recalls and other clinical drug information:

1. Health Canada Drugs and Health Products http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodpharma/index_e.html
2. Drugs and Health Products: Advisories, Warnings and Recalls http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/medeff/advisories-avis/index_e.html

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