Coumarin Derivatives Drug – How does Coumarin derivatives Works?

Type of Drug:

Coumarin; anticoagulants, anti-clotting drugs; warfarin, blood thinners.

How the Drug Works:

Coumarin prevents the liver from making substances needed to form blood clots. Anticoagulants are often given after stopping injectable heparin. Anticoagulants will not dissolve already-formed blood clots or repair tissue damage caused by blood clots.

Uses:

To prevent or treat blood clots in veins. To prevent or treat blood clots in the lungs. To prevent blood clots associated with atria fibrillation.

Warfarin - To reduce the risk of recurrence of a heart attack or a stroke after a heart attack, and to prevent blood clots after heart valve replacement or in patients with damaged heart valves.

Anisindione, dicumarol: To treat coronary blockage.

Unlabeled Uses: Occasionally doctors may prescribe anticoagulants to prevent heart attack or symptoms which precede stroke. Warfarin has also been prescribed with cancer drugs and radiation for treatment of small cell lung cancer.

Lab tests: Treatment with anticoagulants may be different with each patient.

Dosage is controlled by lab tests. Tests may include kidney or liver function tests, pro thrombin time (protein, PT) or INR (International Normalized Ratio). Testing may be daily in the beginning of treatment. Once the dosage is stabilized, testing is every 4 to 6 weeks. Be sure to keep appointments.

Pregnancy: Do not use during pregnancy. The risk of use in a pregnant woman clearly outweighs any possible benefit.

Breastfeeding: Anticoagulants appear in breast milk. Nursing is not recommended while using anticoagulants.

Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established. Elderly: Elderly patients may be more sensitive to these agents.

Drug Interactions:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or if you are planning to take any over-the-counter or prescription medications or dietary supplements while taking this medicine. Doses of one or both drugs may need to be modified or a different drug may need to be prescribed. The following drugs and drug classes interact with this medicine.

Side Effects:

Every drug is capable of producing side effects. Many patients experience no, or minor, side effects. The frequency and severity of side effects depend on many factors including dose, duration of therapy and individual susceptibility. Possible side effects include:

Hemorrhage – Bloody or tarry stools; blood in urine; red or dark urine; excessive menstrual bleeding; unusual bleeding or bruising.

Digestive Tract: Diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; stomach pain; mouth sores; appetite loss.

Skin: Dermatitis; hives; purple toes; gangrene.

Other: Hair loss; yellowing of skin or eyes; fever; chills; chest, abdomen or joint pain; shortness of breath; difficulty breathing or swallowing; swelling; shock; paralysis; headache; drowsiness; sore throat; blurred vision; orange-red discoloration of urine; inability to urinate (anisindione only); sustained and painful erection.

Guidelines for Use:

• Use exactly as prescribed, Strict adherence to prescribed dosage schedule is necessary.
• Dosing is individualized and may have to be frequently adjusted based on lab test results.
• Injection – Follow the injection procedure taught to you by your health care provider.
• If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your doctor. If more than one dose is missed, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not take or discontinue any other medication except on advice of your pharmacist or doctor.
• Avoid alcohol, aspirin, topical pain killers, large amounts of green leafy vegetables, or drastic changes in dietary habits.
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, become pregnant, are planning to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding.
• Contact your doctor if you experience diarrhea, infection, fever, pain, swelling, discomfort, prolonged bleeding from cuts, increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding, blood in urine, nosebleeds, bleeding from gums when brushing, other unusual bleeding or bruising, red or dark brown urine, red or tar black stools, purple toes, toe pain or tenderness, rash, ulcers, or hair loss.
• Anisindione – Contact your doctor if you experience excessive fatigue, chills, fever, or sore throat.
• Contact your doctor before undergoing dental work or elective surgery.
• Warfarin may cause a red-orange discoloration of urine.
• All of the products listed on this table are coumarin derivatives; however, they are not interchangeable.
• Lab tests will be required to monitor therapy. Be sure to keep appointments.
• Injection – Visually inspect solution for particles or discoloration.
• Store reconstituted injection solution at room temperature (59 0 to 86°F).
• Do not refrigerate. Use within 4 hours. Discard any unused solution.
• Store tablets at room temperature (59 0 to 7J0F) in a tight, light­resistant container.