Generic Name: Coumadin (warfarin)
Coumadin Reviews
For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "I was at a convention in Palm Springs when I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Could not breathe, excruciating pain, scared to death. When I got to the ER, my heart was beating at 180 beats per minute. The doctors told me the only thing that probably saved me from having a stroke was that I was already on Coumadin as I have a genetic blood disorder, factor 5 Leiden, which means I will be on Coumadin for the rest of my life. My doctors are so cautious that they actually had a bird's nest inserted into my vena cava just in case a clot were to ever break loose. I have never had problems in the 6 years I have been on Coumadin. My INR is always at 2.5, which is considered perfect since my target range is between 2.0 and 3.0."
For Prosthetic Heart Valves, Mechanical Valves - Thrombosis Prophylaxis "I have a St. Jude mitral valve prosthesis implanted 11/2002. I began anticoagulation therapy with Coumadin without any difficulty and a stable INR. The insurance company switched me to a generic warfarin with terrible results - headaches, unstable INR, including emergency need for stomach shots to restore INR levels rapidly. My cardiologist switched me back to the brand only - Coumadin, and for the past 16 years, I'm now 75 years old, I have taken the same dosage with no negative side effects and a consistently stable INR averaging 2.5 for a therapeutic range of 2.0 - 3.0. Now Coumadin has been discontinued by Bristol Myers Squibb with no notice or explanation, leaving me and others with no choice but to use generic warfarin. Why is this allowed to happen, and why are we constantly told there is no difference between the brand and the generic when, for a large number of patients, this is simply not true? Will anyone help us?"
For Prosthetic Heart Valves, Mechanical Valves - Thrombosis Prophylaxis "Coumadin is the only drug that has worked for me in 23 years and NOW IT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE because of Warfarin I had to be shocked back to life 3 times. Now I have been on put on Jantoven since June 22 2020 because I can no longer get Coumadin ... since then I have lost weight and appetite along with a bad cough with yellowed goop WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? How has this happeden? when a drug works for people and then it is JUST STOPPED with no notice and the drugs that are available DON'T WORK then what?"
For Deep Vein Thrombosis, First Event "I am a male, 62 years old. I got a blood clot the entire length of my saphenous vein. I was put on generic warfarin first at 2.5 mg/day. I felt sweaty, had headaches, and felt depressed. This went on for two weeks until I read reviews about Coumadin on this site. I switched to Coumadin. My INR stabilized, the sweats went away, and the headaches went away in about 10 days. I know that Coumadin and warfarin are supposed to be chemically the same molecule. I propose that the objective differences between these two drugs can most likely be accounted for by considering that one may have more pure isomers than the other."
For Prevention of Thromboembolism in Atrial Fibrillation "Developed atrial flutter, then atrial fibrillation several years post-op. This and beta-blocker really straightened it out. Cardiologist took me off Coumadin a few years ago for a month. He had to put me back on it due to flutter that just wouldn't quit... took a few weeks to straighten me out again. It was his idea, not mine. Only drawback is monitoring the amount of green vegetables eaten every day and needing a PT drawn every 2 weeks or so."
For Deep Vein Thrombosis, Recurrent Event "I really do not like taking medications, so I probably don't monitor it like I should. So far I have had no problems develop, but it works effectively, and side effects are minimal. Some cuts barely bleed, while a small scratch may take a while to stop, depending on where the cut or scratch occurs. I have found that Coumadin regulates better than other warfarin, but costs considerably more."
For Deep Vein Thrombosis, Recurrent Event "Was on Coumadin for 4 years. Walked away due to headaches daily. Got another clot. It may have been worth the couple months of no headaches, no fussy head, no feeling stupid, loosing my sight (which is old age, but still the timing), but the anxiety of knowing my body will clot along with a new clot put me back on Coumadin. Finally got the news about Xarelto. Life changing to say the least. No way to reverse dose, I take the risk for a better life. Besides the half life is only 5 to 9 hours for under 45 yr old and 11 to 13 hours for older. Take it with dinner and you are sleeping that whole time."
For Deep Vein Thrombosis, First Event "Put on Coumadin in 2008 after DVT, which ultimately turned out to have been caused by a hereditary clotting disorder (Factor V Leiden). No problems or side effects since, works like a charm. I self test every 2 weeks with Roche PT/INR handheld blood test kit, and manage to stay in therapeutic range about 95% of the time. Couldn’t ask for much better!"
For Prosthetic Heart Valves, Mechanical Valves - Thrombosis Prophylaxis "I had open heart surgery in 1973. A Bjork Shiley Steal Cage Ball Valves was implanted. I had some problems in the following years because of blood clots. I was put on the medication Coumadin and the problem was resolved. Jump forward to 2012. My insurance would not cover the medication, so my Doctors and I tried to switch to a generic (Warfarin). I was having complications with the Warfarin, so I was instructed to stay on "Name Brand" Coumadin and to never attempt to change to a generic again. Now Bristol Myers Squibb has discontinued making "Name Brand" Coumadin; therefore, I am being forced to make that change. When my supply runs out I will have to make that forced change! By the way the BMS manufacturer which supplied the USA is located in Puerto Rico. There is another location which supplies France, Germany, and Italy, but BMS will not tell me where it is and/or how to get the drug from them, where ever they are. Can anyone help me, any suggestions?"
For Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Knee Replacement Surgery "Broken femur resulted in blood clots that caused life threatening embolism. I was given the generic warfarin and rapidly devoped THRUSH. Switched to brand name COUMADIN and recovered after 9 days in hospital."
For Pulmonary Embolism, First Event "Been on medication now for 3 yrs, started out being tired, fatigued as time has gone by now starting to experience bad dreams early mornings, had one time rectal bleeding, otherwise it is helping me. "
For Pulmonary Embolism, Recurrent Event "I've been taking Coumadin for about 20 years. I have many times gone too long without going for my blood work, but I work a lot of hours. The only occasional side affect is a bad headache. I went to one of the top hematologists in our area and was told if I tolerate it well that I shouldn't switch. My internist has been trying for years to switch me to a 'equivalent' that doesn't need the maintenance but if I don't have any problems with it I am going to stick with it I am. It has saved my life for a long time, between having DVT's and PE's. Apparently, a congenital problem according to the experts."
For Prosthetic Heart Valves, Mechanical Valves - Thrombosis Prophylaxis "I had a St Jude mechanical valve implanted in 2011 and have been on Coumadin since. Now I hear they’re stopping making the brand name formulation? What am I supposed to do? My INR has been fluctuating between 1.8 to 4.6. weekly and I get blood drawn once a week and determining how much to take or not take is almost a daily battle. I’m going to need another similar medication now? I’ve been faithful to my schedule and despite the constant daily dose changes I’ve been doing ok. I hear that there are now better and less dangerous anti- clotting medication. This may be a good thing. There’s not just Coumadin available now. We’ll see. Insurance is still paying for it so until they stop covering it I will stay with Coumadin."
For Prosthetic Heart Valves, Tissue Valves - Thrombosis Prophylaxis "I have been taking Coumadin for 21 years, since I had an aortic valve replacement."
For Pulmonary Embolism, First Event "I am still alive because of this drug, and I am not an advocate of the medical profession."
For Deep Vein Thrombosis, First Event "Everything that goes into the mouth has to be reviewed for interactions with this drug. It can also cause swelling and hair loss."
For Pulmonary Embolism, First Event "This drug saved my life."
For Deep Vein Thrombosis, First Event "I'm still alive thanks to this drug! So far, so good."
For Deep Vein Thrombosis, First Event "Coumadin is very effective. Home monitoring of INR with finger sticks helped with ease of use."
For Antiphospholipid Syndrome "Since I started on Coumadin I have a lot less leg pain and can think more clearly."
For Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Hip Replacement Surgery "It helped me have a stroke faster while I was active and out going left me in a wheelchair with double the pain between my affected side and my back. NO good. Changed my life and my family lives also"
More about Coumadin (warfarin)
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Professional resources
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- Coumadin Injection (FDA)
- Warfarin (AHFS Monograph)
Other brands
Jantoven
Related treatment guides
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Hip Replacement Surgery
- Chronic Central Venous Catheterization
- Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis after Knee Replacement Surgery
