Warfarin

Warfarin sodium (warfarin) is a coumarin anticoagulant, also known as Coumadin and Jantoven in the United States. Because of the way in which warfarin works, it is also considered to be a vitamin K antagonist. Patients taking warfarin require close monitoring, as serious side effects and/or consequences may occur from therapy, especially if dosage is supratherapeutic or subtherapeutic. Treatment with warfarin is unique and specific to each individual patient. Thus, initiating and maintaining therapy can be challenging to both the health care provider and the patient; however, a better understanding of warfarin can aid in successful therapy. This entry provides a brief overview of warfarin as a therapeutic agent.