Difference Between Heparin and Coumadin

Are Coumadin and heparin the same? While Coumadin and heparin are both anticoagulant medications, they are not the same. Coumadin is an oral prescription drug mostly used in the outpatient setting, while heparin is an injectable drug typically used in the hospital setting.

1. What is the difference between heparin and warfarin?
2. Why is heparin given before warfarin?
3. Why is heparin and Coumadin given together?
4. What is the difference between Coumadin and warfarin?
5. What's another name for heparin?
6. What are the side effects of warfarin?
7. Why do you need to take warfarin at 6pm?
8. When should heparin be discontinued?
9. Does heparin affect INR?
10. Does Coumadin dissolve clots?
11. What lab value is monitored while on Coumadin?
12. Can you take coumadin and heparin at the same time?

What is the difference between heparin and warfarin?

Heparin. Heparin works faster than warfarin, so it is usually given in situations where an immediate effect is desired. For example, this medication is often given in hospitals to prevent growth of a previously detected blood clot.

Why is heparin given before warfarin?

Warfarin works by slowing down the process in the liver that uses vitamin K to make certain proteins (clotting factors) that cause clotting. Because it may take several days before warfarin becomes completely effective, heparin or LMWH is given until the warfarin is working.

Why is heparin and Coumadin given together?

Because of the delay in factor II (prothrombin) suppression, heparin is administered concurrently for four to five days to prevent thrombus propagation. Loading doses of warfarin are not warranted and may result in bleeding complications.

What is the difference between Coumadin and warfarin?

Warfarin is commonly called a "blood thinner," but the more correct term is "anticoagulant." It helps to keep blood flowing smoothly in your body by decreasing the amount of certain substances (clotting proteins) in your blood. Warfarin is available under the following different brand names: Coumadin, and Jantoven.

What's another name for heparin?

Heparin, also known as standard heparin or unfractionated heparin (UFH), is a generic injection. Heparin also goes by brand names such as Hep-Lock.

What are the side effects of warfarin?

What are the side effects of warfarin?

• Severe bleeding, including heavier than normal menstrual bleeding.
• Red or brown urine.
• Black or bloody stool.
• Severe headache or stomach pain.
• Joint pain, discomfort or swelling, especially after an injury.
• Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
• Coughing up blood.

Why do you need to take warfarin at 6pm?

In order to shorten the response time for making a dosing change, patients are traditionally advised to have their INR test in the morning and to take their warfarin in the evening (so that the INR test result will be back in time to change that day's warfarin dose if needed).

When should heparin be discontinued?

Heparin is discontinued 6-12 hours before surgery and restarted at 200-400 U/h at 4-6 hours after surgery. Coumadin is restarted as soon as tolerated by the patient. Stop oral anticoagulants at least 5 days preoperatively, and do not perform the procedure until the PT is in the reference range.

Does heparin affect INR?

Most manufacturers provide evidence in their product literature that the reagent for measurement of the prothrombin time (FT) that is used to calculate INR is not affected by therapeutic levels of heparin.

Does Coumadin dissolve clots?

However, they do not break up or dissolve existing blood clots. Warfarin (Coumadin) and Heparin are the two most common anticoagulants, but newer anticoagulant medications like Xarelto, Pradaxa, and Eliquis are also widely prescribed by doctors.

What lab value is monitored while on Coumadin?

A prothrombin time (PT) is a test used to help detect and diagnose a bleeding disorder or excessive clotting disorder; the international normalized ratio (INR) is calculated from a PT result and is used to monitor how well the blood-thinning medication (anticoagulant) warfarin (Coumadin®) is working to prevent blood ...

Can you take coumadin and heparin at the same time?

Using heparin together with warfarin can cause you to bleed more easily. You may need a dose adjustment in addition to testing of your prothrombin time or International Normalized Ratio (INR).