Coumadin (Warfarin) Therapy: What You Need to Know About Anticoagulants

The medication Coumadin is classified as a an anticoagulant. It is also known by its generic name, warfarin. Coumadin is, simply put, a "blood thinner". It thins your blood to prevent blood clots from forming. There are several medical conditions that warrant the use of Coumadin. Here, we will discuss just a few.

Pulmonary Emboli (PE): A pulmonary emboli is a blood clot in the lung. When you are hospitalized with a pumonary emboli, anticoagulants will be administered in either injection form (Heparin or Lovenox) or as an IV drip (Heparin drip). After the blood clot has resolved and you are discharged from the hospital, you will probably be given a prescription for Coumadin to take at home.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot deep in the vein. These usually develop in the legs. If the clot is serious enough to require hospitalization, you would be treated with either Heparin or Lovenox injections or a Heparin drip. Again, Coumadin is usually prescribed after hospitalization to prevent another blood clot from forming.

Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib): Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm. For some, this is a chronic condition, which means that their heart beats irregularly all the time. Patients with atrial fibrillation usually take Coumadin for the rest of their lives to prevent blood clots. With atrial fibrillation, blood clots can occur because the heart is pumping blood out at irregular intervals, so the volume of blood in the circulatory system is not consistent.

After hip and leg surgery: Surgery of the hips and legs requires some bedrest after surgery. This period of immobility can cause blood clots to form because your range of motion is compromised. Although precautions are taken to prevent blood clots after surgery, Heparin or Lovenox injections are usually used as well. Physical therapy is usually started in the hospital and then continued at home. When you are discharged home, you will be usually be on Coumadin short term.