Warfarin Teva

Warfarin Na.

Each tablet contains: Warfarin Sodium BP 1 milligram (mg), 3 mg or 5 mg (active ingredient).
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: Lactose monohydrate, maize starch, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium stearate, colours: Anstead Brown 15122 (1 mg), Anstead Blue 17488 (3 mg), Dispersed Pink 11150 (5 mg) (inactive ingredients).

Warfarin Tablets BP are part of a group of drugs known as anticoagulants.

Warfarin tablets are anticoagulant drugs. These drugs make blood clots less likely to form in conditions of the heart, lung and blood vessels. In some conditions they break up clots which have already formed. They work by preventing the blood's natural coagulation agent, Vitamin K, from working.

The patient must take the tablets as advised by the doctor. The label will show how much to take and how often to take them. The number of tablets to take is called the 'dose'. If the patient has not taken warfarin before the doctor will usually give a starting dose of 10 mg once a day for the first two days. The patient will have blood tests every day or every other day and the dose will be adjusted depending on how the patient is reacting to the tablets. For oral use, swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water at the same time each day. The long-term dose is usually between 3 mg and 9 mg each day.
The doses may be lower if the patient is elderly or if the tablets are for a child.
If the patient forgets to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as remembered. Do not take two doses together. If it is almost time to take the next dose, wait until then and then carry on as before.
It can be dangerous to stop taking the tablets without the doctor's advice.

It is important not to take too many tablets.
Contact the nearest hospital casualty department or a doctor for advice if the patient has swallowed too many tablets or if a child has accidentally swallowed any.
Take the leaflet and any tablets that still have to show the doctor.

Do not take these tablets: if pregnant, may become pregnant or are breast-feeding; have ever had a bad reaction to any of the ingredients listed in the Description; have had any problems with the kidneys or liver, or have had an infection which affected the heart; have any condition which may lead to bleeding, for example a stomach ulcer, haemophilia or very high blood pressure; or have had an operation recently.

Tell the doctor prior to initiation of the treatment if the patient: has an intolerance to some sugars e.g. lactose monohydrate; taking the herbal remedy St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). This should not be taken at the same time as Warfarin. If the patient has already taken St John's wort, consult the doctor before stopping the St John's wort preparations.

The patient may have some side effects while taking the tablets.
Tell the doctor at once if any of the following are noticed: Unexplained bleeding or bruising, for example nose bleeds or coughing up blood (this may indicate haemothorax).
Feeling and being sick, severe stomach or back pain, diarrhoea, painful blue-purple coloured toes, mouth ulcers or hair loss.
Itching, an itchy rash or red swollen skin patches.
Fever or chills, sore throat, ulcers in the mouth or throat, unusual tiredness or weakness.
A yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
Dark or cloudy urine, which may have blood in it, swollen face, feet or lower legs.
If the patient feels unwell in any other way, tell the doctor.
Risk of Calciphylaxis: Calciphylaxis is a rare syndrome of vascular calcification with cutaneous necrosis, associated with high mortality. The condition is mainly observed in patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis or in patients with known risk factors such as protein C or S deficiency, hyperphosphataemia, hypercalcaemia or hypoalbuminaemia. Rare cases of calciphylaxis have been reported in patients taking warfarin, also in the absence of renal disease. In case calciphylaxis is diagnosed, appropriate treatment should be started and consideration should be given to stopping treatment with warfarin.

Many other medicines affect the way warfarin works. The patient must tell the doctor if he/she is taking other medicines including herbal remedies and medicines that have bought without a prescription.
Drugs which may increase the effect of warfarin include: Anti-arrhythmics such as amiodarone and propafenone (drugs which affect heart rhythm), anabolic steroids, alcohol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents especially phenylbutazone and azapropazone (used to relieve pain and inflammation), antidepressants such as amitriptyline, anti-bacterials especially erythromycin, metronidazole, sulphonamides and anti-fungals such as ketoconazole and miconazole (used to treat infections), thyroxine, clofibrate, allopurinol, disulfiram, cimetidine, danazol, flutamide, tamoxifen, simvastatin, omeprazole and sulphinpyrazone.
Drugs which may reduce the effect of warfarin include: Barbiturates, glutethamide, aminoglutethamide, the anti-epileptics primidone and carbamazepine (used to treat epilepsy), oral contraceptives, rifampicin, griseofulvin, vitamin K and sucralfate.
Drugs which can increase or reduce the effect of warfarin include: Phenytoin, corticosteroids, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cholestyramine.
Drugs which increase the risk of bleeding, because they affect the way blood clots, include: Diflunisal, salicylates, dipyridamole and phenylbutazone.
If the patient drinks cranberry juice or take other cranberry products (e.g. capsules or concentrates), the effect of warfarin in 'thinning' the blood may be increased. While taking warfarin, the patient should avoid drinking/taking these products. If cranberry products are taken for medical reasons (e.g. bladder infections) or regularly drink/take cranberry products, contact the anticoagulant clinic or health advisor before changing the amount to drink/take. The doctor or clinic may wish to monitor the patient more frequently while taking any cranberry product.
Once the patient has started to take the tablets, the anticoagulant treatment booklet must be carried all the time.
Do not go on a diet to lose weight or make any changes to eating habits without first talking to the doctor.
If the patient sees another doctor or visit a hospital, remember to tell them what medicines are already taking.

Store below 25°C. Store in the original package.

Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets & Fibrinolytics (Thrombolytics)

B01AA03 - warfarin ; Belongs to the class of vitamin K antagonists. Used in the treatment of thrombosis.

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