Risks of Taking Warfarin

Jeff Rasansky

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A study published in the September issue of Neurology reveals that patients who have been taking Warfarin may have suffered large amounts of bleeding in the brain and an increased risk of death if they suffer from a hemorrhagic stroke. Warfarin is usually prescribed to prevent the clotting of blood.

Studies show that Warfarin aids in preventing stroke for patients with an abnormal heart rhythm, however, Warfarin is shown to over-thin blood and there is an increased risk of hemorrhage when taking it.

It’s been reported that Warfarin’s side effects send more elderly patients to the emergency room every day than any other medications. The reason for this is believed to be that the correct dosages for Warfarin are very difficult to determine.

Other brand names for Warfarin include Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan and Waran. It is usually administered orally, but may sometimes be injected. It is used to stop blood clots and embolisms and most often given to people who have a history of stroke and heart attacks. Hemorrhage is a very common side effect of Warfarin. In 2004 and 2005, around 58,000 senior citizens visited the ER due to Warfarin complications.