FARIN

This medicine contains the active ingredient warfarin which belongs to the group of medicines known as anti-coagulants. These medicines impede the formation of blood clots (thrombus) which can cause stroke or heart attack by blocking the blood vessel. Warfarin is prescribed for the same reason, especially for the prevention of blood clots in brain (stroke) and other blood vessels if you have an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, for the treatment of blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis) and in the blood vessels of your lungs (pulmonary embolism), and to prevent blood clots from re-occurring in the blood vessels of your legs and/or lungs. It is also used in conditions like artificial heart valves and rheumatic heart disease, after a myocardial infarction and stroke for prevention of thromboembolic complications.

Is Warfarin suitable for me?

Warfarin is not suitable for everyone. Do not use it

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to warfarin or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• if you are in the first or third trimester of pregnancy
• 48 hours after birth
• if you have significant bleeding and an increased tendency to bleed - stomach ulcers or duodenum, hemorrhagic blood disorders, cerebrovascular accidents (stroke), aortic dissection, bacterial endocarditis
• if you planned surgical procedures with the risk of serious bleeding
• if you have seriously damaged kidneys and liver
• if you suffer from severe and uncontrolled hypertension

In particular, you must tell the doctor if you:

• have very high blood pressure
• have diseases of your stomach or bowel that might result in bleeding
• have problems with thyroid gland
• have bacterial endocarditis, or any blood disorder (hemophilia, thrombophilia, anemia)
• have had a stroke
• have heart, liver or kidney problems
• are pregnant or breast-feeding

Warfarin interacts with other medicines. It is most important that you tell the doctor all the medications and herbal supplements that you are currently taking.

See the package leaflet for a complete list of possible contraindications and warnings.

How should I take Warfarin?

This medicine is available in form of a tablet.

You should take warfarin exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist.

• The usual starting dose is 5 or 10 mg per day. The usual maintenance dose is 3 to 9 mg per day.

Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, or do not use it for a longer time than your doctor instructed. Also, this medicine works best if there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep this amount constant, do not miss any doses and take the medicine at the same time each day. Do not take two doses together if you miss a dose.

Read the information leaflet provided with your medication for additional information. Talk to your doctor if you have any additional questions.

What are Warfarin side effects?

Like all medicines warfarin can cause side effects, including:

• bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract
• bleeding in urogenital tract
• bleeding in central nervous system
• rectal bleeding
• bleeding from the nose
• fever, nausea, vomiting
• diarrhea, black stools
• skin reactions
• itching, rash
• hair loss
• jaundice, hepatic dysfunction
• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit

 Consult a doctor if the side effects are severe. See the package leaflet for a complete list of side effects.