Have you or anyone in your family been prescribed a blood thinner by a doctor? Then you've probably heard of "Warfarin." It's a life-saving drug, but it's one that needs to be used with great care. So today, let's answer all your questions about it, just like talking to a friend.
Simply put, what is Warfarin?
Warfarin is an anticoagulant . Some people call it a "blood thinner," but it doesn't actually thin the blood, it just slows down the clotting process. Think about it, when we have a cut somewhere in our body, blood clotting is essential to stop bleeding. But in some medical conditions, blood clots can form inside the body for no reason, such as in the blood vessels or the heart. That's why we use warfarin to stop the formation of such dangerous blood clots.
If you already have a blood clot, warfarin helps stop it from getting bigger and prevents a piece from breaking off and getting stuck in a vital organ like the lungs, brain, or heart.
What are the uses of warfarin?
Doctors mainly prescribe this medicine to treat or prevent the following conditions. Some of these may seem a bit complicated to you, but let's keep it simple.
| Condition | Simply the idea |
|---|---|
| Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) | Blood clots often form in the deep veins of the legs. |
| Pulmonary Embolism (PE) | A blood clot that has formed elsewhere in the body breaks loose and gets stuck in a vein in the lungs. This is very dangerous. |
| Stroke | A blood clot blocks a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. |
| Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) | An irregular heartbeat can lead to a risk of blood clots forming inside the heart. |
| Heart Valve Replacement | To prevent blood clots from forming on an artificial heart valve. |
How does warfarin work inside the body?
This is a bit of a scientific story, but let's keep it simple. Vitamin K is essential for the blood clotting process in our body. What warfarin does is to control the activity of this vitamin K a little. Therefore, the blood clotting process is a little slower. This stops the formation of unnecessary blood clots.
A blood test (INR Test) is a must when taking warfarin.
Warfarin is a very sensitive drug. So when using it, you need to regularly check your blood clotting levels. The test we do for it is called PT/INR (Prothrombin Time / International Normalized Ratio) .
Simply put, your doctor will determine whether your warfarin dose is right, too low, or too high by looking at your INR value. Therefore, it is essential to have this blood test done on the scheduled days, as your doctor recommends.
You may need to have this test once or twice a week at first. Once your INR level has stabilized, you may be asked to have it done about once a month. Your INR level can change due to other medications you take, your diet, or other medical conditions. It is therefore important to keep your doctor informed of any changes.
The main risk of warfarin: Bleeding
Because warfarin controls blood clotting, the main side effect that can occur is excessive bleeding . Therefore, you should be very careful about the following symptoms.
| Bleeding symptoms to watch out for | |
|---|---|
| Contact Your Doctor Immediately | |
| Bruises on the body for no reason. | Minor bleeding from the gums or nose. |
| Heavy or prolonged bleeding during menstruation in women. | Red, brown, or dark urine. |
| Bright red or tarry black stools. | Feeling more tired and weak than usual. |
| Go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. | |
| A cut that does not stop bleeding even after applying pressure for 10 minutes. | Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. |
| Sudden severe headache, dizziness, changes in vision or speech. | Head injury from a fall or a hard hit. |
Warfarin and food and drink (especially vitamin K)
This is the biggest question that many people have. Isn't it good to eat green vegetables while taking warfarin?
You don't need to stop eating them completely. The important thing is to keep your intake of vitamin K-rich foods consistent from week to week.
Imagine if you ate a lot of green vegetables one week and then stopped eating them completely the next week, your INR could suddenly fluctuate. That's dangerous. So, eat as you normally would. But if you're going to make a big change to your diet (for example, going vegan, starting a special diet to lose weight), be sure to tell your doctor about it. He or she can then check your INR more often and adjust your medication if necessary.
- Foods rich in vitamin K (keep the amount you eat consistent): Dark green vegetables like kale, spinach, collards, broccoli, and lettuce.
- Foods low in vitamin K (can be eaten without fear): carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, corn.
Things to keep in mind when taking warfarin
- Take it on time: Get in the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- If you miss a dose: If you remember within 8 hours of your scheduled dose, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it is more than 8 hours late, skip the missed dose and take the next day's dose. Never take two doses at once. If you miss a dose for two or more days, call your doctor right away.
- Be careful with other medications: Tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking (medicines for other conditions, painkillers, vitamins, even Ayurvedic medicines). Some medications can affect the way warfarin works.
- Be careful: Think twice before using razors and sharp tools like knives. Be careful of falls. Use a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
- Planning and Surgeries: Before having dental extractions or any other surgery, be sure to tell the doctor that you are taking warfarin.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol. It can affect the effectiveness of warfarin and the risk of bleeding.
Take-Home Message
- Warfarin is a life-saving medication, but it is very important to take it exactly as the doctor tells you, in the correct dosage and at the correct time.
- Do not stop taking the medication or change the dosage for any reason without consulting your doctor.
- It is mandatory to have your INR blood test done on the scheduled dates. It is the best measure for your safety.
- If you notice any unusual bleeding, bruising, or other unusual symptoms, inform your doctor immediately.
- Talk to your doctor about other medications you are taking, major changes in your diet, and any health problems you have.
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