×
MedSchool: Ace Your OSCEsThe Medical Company
 
 
 
 
 
GET - On the App Store
View
Drug Guide
 
 

Warfarin

 
Bookmark
  •  
    Oral
    Warfarin
    Coumadin, Marevan 
  • Mechanism of Action

  • Inhibits regeneration of vitamin K from vitamin K epoxide, resulting in reduced synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX and X, as well as proteins C and S.
  • Pharmacology
  • Delayed onset and initial procoagulant effect - bridging heparin / clexane should be used until warfarin is therapeutic.
  • Reversed with vitamin K, fresh frozen plasma and prothrombinex.

Clinical Use

  • Indications
  • Treatment of venous thromboembolism (DVT / PE)
  • Prosthetic heart valve (prevention of thromboembolism)
  • Atrial fibrillation (prevention of stroke) - particularly valvular AF
  • Large myocardial infarction
  • Contraindications
  • Active bleeding, or high risk of bleeding (risk / benefit analysis)
  • Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (enoxaparin / factor Xa inhibitors are superior)
  • Pregnancy
  • Adverse Effects
  • Haemorrhage
  • Skin necrosis
  • Cholesterol microemboli
  • Monitoring
  • International normalised ratio (INR).
  • AF / VTE - generally aim INR 2.0 - 3.0
  • Prosthetic heart valve - generally aim INR 2.5 - 3.5
Want more info like this?
  • Your electronic clinical medicine handbook
  • Guides to help pass your exams
  • Tools every medical student needs
  • Quick diagrams to have the answers, fast
  • Quizzes to test your knowledge
Sign Up Now
   
 
 

Snapshot: Initialising...