Before taking warfarin,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to warfarin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in warfarin tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients. do not take two or more medications that contain warfarin at the same time. Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are uncertain if a medication contains warfarin or warfarin sodium. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take, especially acyclovir (Zovirax); allopurinol (Zyloprim); alprazolam (Xanax); antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac), erythromycin (E.E.S., Eryc, Ery-Tab), nafcillin, norfloxacin (Noroxin), sulfinpyrazone, telithromycin (Ketek), and tigecycline (Tygacil); anticoagulants such as argatroban (Acova), dabigatran (Pradaxa), bivalirudin (Angiomax), desirudin (Iprivask), heparin, and lepirudin (Refludan); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Monistat), posaconazole (Noxafil), terbinafine (Lamisil), voriconazole (Vfend); antiplatelet medications such as cilostazol (Pletal), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine, in Aggrenox), prasugrel (Effient), and ticlopidine (Ticlid); aprepitant (Emend); aspirin or aspirin-containing products and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Flector, Voltaren, in Arthrotec), diflunisal, fenoprofen (Nalfon), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac, mefenamic acid (Ponstel), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril); bicalutamide; bosentan; certain antiarrhythmic medications such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone), mexiletine, and propafenone (Rythmol); certain calcium channel blocking medications such as amlodipine (Norvasc, in Azor, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Twynsta), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Tiazac) and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, in Tarka); certain medications for asthma such as montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate), and zileuton (Zyflo); certain medications used to treat cancer such as capecitabine (Xeloda), imatinib (Gleevec), and nilotinib (Tasigna); certain medications for cholesterol such as atorvastatin (Lipitor, in Caduet) and fluvastatin (Lescol); certain medications for digestive disorders such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), and ranitidine (Zantac); certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection such as amprenavir, atazanavir (Reyataz), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus); certain medications for narcolepsy such as armodafinil (Nuvigil) and modafinil (Provigil); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), and rufinamide (Banzel); certain medications to treat tuberculosis such as isoniazid (in Rifamate, Rifater) and rifampin (Rifadin, in Rifamate, Rifater); certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), milnacipran (Savella), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft), venlafaxine (Effexor) corticosteroids such as prednisone; cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); disulfiram (Antabuse); methoxsalen (Oxsoralen, Uvadex); metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone (Serzone), oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oxandrolone (Oxandrin); pioglitazone (Actos, in Actoplus Met, Duetact, Oseni); propranolol (Inderal) or vilazodone (Viibryd). Many other medications may also interact with warfarin, so be sure to:* tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Do not take any new medications or stop taking any medication without talking to your doctor. tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal or botanical products you are taking, especially coenzyme Q10 (Ubidecarenone), Echinacea, garlic, Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goldenseal, and St. John's wort. There are many other herbal or botanical products which might affect your body's response to warfarin. Do not start or stop taking any herbal products without talking to your doctor. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes. Also tell your doctor if you have an infection, a gastrointestinal illness such as diarrhea, or sprue (an allergic reaction to protein found in grains that causes diarrhea), or an indwelling catheter (a flexible plastic tube that is placed into the bladder to allow the urine to drain out). tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant while taking warfarin. Pregnant women should not take warfarin unless they have a mechanical heart valve. Talk to your doctor about the use of effective birth control while taking warfarin. If you become pregnant while taking warfarin, call your doctor immediately. Warfarin may harm the fetus. tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, or any type of medical or dental procedure, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking warfarin. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking warfarin before the surgery or procedure or change your dosage of warfarin before the surgery or procedure. Follow your doctor's directions carefully and keep all appointments with the laboratory if your doctor orders blood tests to find the best dose of warfarin for you. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking warfarin. tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking warfarin,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to warfarin, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in warfarin tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check {{ORGANIZATION}} for a list of the ingredients. do not take two or more medications that contain warfarin at the same time. Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are uncertain if a medication contains warfarin or warfarin sodium. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take, especially acyclovir ({{NAME}}); allopurinol ({{NAME}}); alprazolam ({{ORGANIZATION}}); antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin ({{ORGANIZATION}}), clarithromycin ({{NAME}}, in {{ORGANIZATION}}), erythromycin ({{ORGANIZATION}}, Eryc, Ery-Tab), nafcillin, norfloxacin (Noroxin), sulfinpyrazone, telithromycin ({{NAME}}), and tigecycline ({{ORGANIZATION}}); anticoagulants such as argatroban ({{NAME}}), dabigatran ({{ORGANIZATION}}), bivalirudin (Angiomax), desirudin ({{ORGANIZATION}}), heparin, and lepirudin (Refludan); antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole ({{ORGANIZATION}}, {{ORGANIZATION}}), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole ({{ORGANIZATION}}), posaconazole ({{ORGANIZATION}}), terbinafine ({{NAME}}), voriconazole (Vfend); antiplatelet medications such as cilostazol ({{ORGANIZATION}}), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine, in Aggrenox), prasugrel (Effient), and ticlopidine (Ticlid); aprepitant ({{ORGANIZATION}}); aspirin or aspirin-containing products and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as celecoxib ({{ORGANIZATION}}), diclofenac (Flector, {{NAME}}, in Arthrotec), diflunisal, fenoprofen (Nalfon), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, {{ORGANIZATION}}, mefenamic acid ({{ORGANIZATION}}), naproxen (Aleve, {{ORGANIZATION}}), oxaprozin ({{ORGANIZATION}}), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac ({{ORGANIZATION}}); bicalutamide; bosentan; certain antiarrhythmic medications such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone), mexiletine, and propafenone ({{ORGANIZATION}}); certain calcium channel blocking medications such as amlodipine ({{ORGANIZATION}}, in Azor, {{ORGANIZATION}}, {{ORGANIZATION}}, Lotrel, {{ORGANIZATION}}), diltiazem ({{ORGANIZATION}}, {{NAME}}, {{ORGANIZATION}}, {{NAME}}) and {{NAME}} (Calan, {{ORGANIZATION}}, Verelan, in Tarka); certain medications for asthma such as montelukast (Singulair), zafirlukast (Accolate), and {{NAME}} (Zyflo); certain medications used to treat cancer such as capecitabine ({{ORGANIZATION}}), imatinib ({{NAME}}), and nilotinib ({{NAME}}); certain medications for cholesterol such as {{NAME}} (Lipitor, in Caduet) and fluvastatin (Lescol); certain medications for digestive disorders such as cimetidine ({{ORGANIZATION}}), famotidine ({{ORGANIZATION}}), and ranitidine (Zantac); certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection such as amprenavir, atazanavir ({{ORGANIZATION}}), {{NAME}} ({{ORGANIZATION}}), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir ({{ORGANIZATION}}), indinavir ({{ORGANIZATION}}), lopinavir/ritonavir, nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir ({{NAME}}); certain medications for narcolepsy such as armodafinil ({{ORGANIZATION}}) and modafinil (Provigil); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, {{NAME}}, {{ORGANIZATION}}), phenobarbital, phenytoin ({{NAME}}, Phenytek), and rufinamide (Banzel); certain medications to treat tuberculosis such as isoniazid (in {{ORGANIZATION}}) and rifampin ({{ORGANIZATION}}, in {{ORGANIZATION}}); certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as citalopram ({{ORGANIZATION}}), desvenlafaxine ({{ORGANIZATION}}), duloxetine ({{NAME}}), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine ({{ORGANIZATION}}, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), milnacipran (Savella), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline ({{NAME}}), venlafaxine ({{NAME}}) corticosteroids such as prednisone; cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); disulfiram ({{ORGANIZATION}}); methoxsalen (Oxsoralen, Uvadex); metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone (Serzone), oral contraceptives (birth control pills); oxandrolone (Oxandrin); pioglitazone ({{NAME}}, in {{ORGANIZATION}}, {{ORGANIZATION}}, {{NAME}}); propranolol ({{ORGANIZATION}}) or vilazodone ({{ORGANIZATION}}). Many other medications may also interact with warfarin, so be sure to:* tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Do not take any new medications or stop taking any medication without talking to your doctor. tell your doctor and pharmacist what herbal or botanical products you are taking, especially coenzyme {{ORGANIZATION}} ({{ORGANIZATION}}), {{ORGANIZATION}}, garlic, {{NAME}}, ginseng, goldenseal, and St. John's wort. There are many other herbal or botanical products which might affect your body's response to warfarin. Do not start or stop taking any herbal products without talking to your doctor. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes. Also tell your doctor if you have an infection, a gastrointestinal illness such as diarrhea, or sprue (an allergic reaction to protein found in grains that causes diarrhea), or an indwelling catheter (a flexible plastic tube that is placed into the bladder to allow the urine to drain out). tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant while taking warfarin. Pregnant women should not take warfarin unless they have a mechanical heart valve. Talk to your doctor about the use of effective birth control while taking warfarin. If you become pregnant while taking warfarin, call your doctor immediately. Warfarin may harm the fetus. tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, or any type of medical or dental procedure, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking warfarin. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking warfarin before the surgery or procedure or change your dosage of warfarin before the surgery or procedure. Follow your doctor's directions carefully and keep all appointments with the laboratory if your doctor orders blood tests to find the best dose of warfarin for you. ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking warfarin. tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.