Warfarin

• Warfarin is used to prevent unwanted clots from forming if you have a condition that puts you at risk of this happening, such as atrial fibrillation – a fast, irregular heart beat. It is also used to prevent any clots that may have already formed in your blood vessels from becoming larger and causing problems.
• Warfarin works by reducing the action of Vitamin K, which is important in blood clotting.
• Warfarin is one of a family of medicines called Anticoagulants.

Find out more at: 

https://patient.info/medicine/warfarin-an-anticoagulant

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3064.pdf

Research suggests:

In a group of 54 patients over 75 with atrial fibrillation,  Warfarin will prevent one person  from this group (on average) from having a stroke.

It is not possible to tell what will happen to you as an individual.

Find out more about this research at: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17693178

You can discuss with your health professional  the possible side effects and other risks Warfarin might have.

Side-effects are unwanted affects that can happen to your body when taking a medicine. 

Not everyone will get side-effects. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects persist or worry you.

Here are some of the common side-effects of Warfarin

Unusual bleeding or bruising

• Diarrhoea
• Skin rash, painful or purple toes
• Hair loss
• Feeling or being sick
• Painful tummy, yellowing of skin.

There are other side-effects that are less common or rare. 

Find out more at https://patient.info/medicine/warfarin-an-anticoagulant#nav-4