Warfarin

Other names: Coumadin

Categories: Prescription Medication

Description:

Warfarin is an oral blood thinner (anticoagulant) that can be used to treat pulmonary embolism (PE). It works by interfering with vitamin K–dependent clotting factors, which reduces the blood’s ability to form new clots and prevents existing ones from getting larger. Warfarin requires regular blood tests (INR checks) to ensure the dose is safe and effective, since its effect can be influenced by diet, other medications, and illness. Because it takes a few days to become effective, patients are usually started on heparin or low molecular weight heparin at the same time until warfarin reaches therapeutic levels. While effective, the main risk is bleeding, so careful monitoring is essential.

Treatment For:

Pulmonary Embolism

AI generated Summary: Based on the provided information, there are no user reviews or ratings available for the effectiveness of Warfarin as a treatment for Pulmonary Embolism. The author has not provided any review or rating either. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the effectiveness of this treatment for Pulmonary Embolism based on the given data.

Reviews

Average rating: 4/5

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All Physician Healthcare provider (non-physician) Healthcare Consumer (Patients & Caregivers)

Dr. Curbside

September 29, 2025

4.0

Warfarin is an older treatment option for pulmonary embolism that has largely been replaced by factor Xa inhibitors such as apixaban and rivaroxaban. While effective, it is challenging to use because the dose must be carefully titrated to keep blood levels in the right range, and this is easily affected by certain foods, medications, and even illness. Frequent blood tests (INR checks) are required to make sure it is working safely. For these reasons, newer anticoagulants are generally preferred, though warfarin is still used in select cases.

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