Side Effects of Coumadin

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Coumadin Review Questions and Answers

Trade Name:  Coumadin
Generic Names:  Warfarin
What are the side effects for Coumadin?
Coumadin is indicated for treatment and prevention of thrombosis.
Coumadin is indicated for anticoagulation in the setting of a chill fibrillation.
Coumadin is also used to reduce the risk of death in patients with recurrent myocardial infarctions or strokes
What is the mechanism of Coumadin?
Coumadin prevents the formation of vitamin K dependent clotting factors.
Is Coumadin safe in pregnancy?
 Coumadin has been given a pregnancy category of X. This means that the risk of use outweighs any potential benefit. Coumadin should not be used in pregnant women.
Is Coumadin found in breast milk?
Coumadin has not been found in breast milk of women taking this medication
How is Coumadin excreted?
Coumadin is metabolized by the Cytochrome P 450 system of the liver.
 Adverse events in people taking with Coumadin

The primary adverse events seen in people with Coumadin involve INR and replacement of depleted factors.

Patients can be treated with vitamin K is well, however, the time to reversal of the INR is delayed.

Pharmacology - Coumadin
Question:
What is the action of coumadin, the half life, and how do you follow it?
Answer:
Coumadin binds to bile acids in the intestine leading to increased excretion of bile acid in the feces leading to increased oxidation of cholesterol to bile acids resulting in increased numbers of low density lipoprotein receptors with increased hepatic uptake of LDL and lower serum cholesterol levels
Question:
What is the most common side effect of Coumadin?
Answer:
The most common side effect of Coumadin is constipation
Question:
How could Coumadin result in increased bleeding tendencies?
Answer:
Coumadin can lead to vitamin K deficiency