Transcript: Coumadin is the brand name for warfarin, an anticoagulant, or blood thinner, which was approved by the FDA in 1952.  Warfarin is a prescription medication which is available as a generic drug and under the brand name Coumadin. Warfarin is an anticoagulant—or blood thinner—which means it helps to keep blood from clotting. Here’s how warfarin works: Vitamin K helps stop excessive bleeding through clot-formation. Sometimes though, clots can form too readily and block blood supply to vital organs. When that happens, warfarin hinders the action of Vitamin K, resulting in thinner blood and fewer clots.  Warfarin is often prescribed for people who have suffered heart attacks. It can be used to prevent the formation of a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs, and to prevent venous thrombosis, which is a clot in the veins.  Patients with rapid or irregular heartbeats and those who have artificial heart valves may also take this medication as a precautionary measure.  Warfarin can be taken orally in tablets from one to ten milligrams. While taking warfarin, you should be prepared for frequent blood tests to measure your clotting time. The two most serious side effects of warfarin are gangrene and internal bleeding, but be sure to ask your doctor for a complete list. And, tell your physician immediately if you experience signs of internal bleeding, like blood in your urine, fainting spells, paralysis, or any other significant changes. Warfarin should not be taken in conjunction with aspirin or other drugs that thin the blood, like Ibuprofen. Ask your doctor for a full list of medications and conditions that should not be combined with warfarin.  Because of its anticoagulant effects, Coumadin can be very effective in treating blood clots. However, it can be dangerous too, resulting in excess bleeding. Always use warfarin under the direct care of a physician. Please ask for and review all of the patient information provided by your doctor before taking warfarin.  “The information in this video is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise of your physician. Always consult your doctor before using this drug.”