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MEDICATION GUIDE
WARFARIN SODIUM TABLETS, USP
(Crystalline)
Read this Medication Guide before you start taking warfarin sodium tablets and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. You and your healthcare provider should talk about warfarin when you start taking it and at regular checkups.
What is the most important information I should know about warfarin?
Take your warfarin exactly as prescribed to lower the chance of blood clots forming in your body (see “What is warfarin?”).
Warfarin is very important for your health, but it can cause serious and life threatening bleeding problems. To benefit from warfarin and also lower your chance for bleeding problems, you must:
#Get your regular blood test to check for your response to warfarin. This blood test is called a PT/INR test. The PT/INR test checks to see how fast your blood clots. Your healthcare provider will decide what PT/INR numbers are best for you. Your dose of warfarin will be adjusted to keep your PT/INR in a target range for you.
#Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms of bleeding problems:
#pain, swelling or discomfort
#headaches, dizziness, or weakness
#unusual bruising (bruises that develop without known cause or grow in size)
#nose bleeds
#bleeding gums
#bleeding from cuts takes a long time to stop
#menstrual bleeding or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal
#pink or brown urine
#red or black stools
#coughing up blood
#vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Many other medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements can interact with warfarin and:
# affect the dose you need, or
# increase warfarin side effects.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements you take. Do not stop medicines or take anything new unless you have talked to your healthcare provider. Keep a list of your medicines with you at all times to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
Do not take other medicines that contain warfarin. Warfarin is the act