Coumadin
For Consumers

What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?

What is it?

  • Atrial Fibrillation (AF or A Fib) is a relatively common heart disorder. AF is an irregular, rapid contraction of the atria.
  • The human heart is made up of four chambers (two atria and two ventricles) that normally work together to pump the blood throughout the body.
  • In AF, however, the atria beat out of rhythm with the rest of the heart. In fact, the atria may beat as many as 400 to 600 times a minute during AF, compared with a normal 60 to 100 times a minute.
  • These irregular, rapid contractions make it difficult for the left atrium to empty blood into the left ventricle, which then pumps the blood to the body.

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How do you get AF?

  • AF can occur in otherwise healthy individuals. But, in most cases, AF is associated with underlying heart disease or, occasionally, with thyroid disorders.
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Would you suspect you have AF?

  • Although some patients with AF experience no symptoms, many experience a wide variety of symptoms, including palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. So it is important to recognize the symptoms of AF so you can discuss them with your doctor.

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What are the risks of AF?

  • Even if your AF is barely noticeable, you must be aware of the possible dangers. If left untreated, AF can lead to serious consequences.

    Stroke

    • AF may increase your risk of stroke nearly five times. As a result, one of every six strokes occurs in a patient with AF.
    • Because the rapidly contracting atrium cannot empty properly, blood pools in the atrium and a clot may form. If these clots break free, they can lodge in an artery of the brain and cut off the blood supply to that area. This condition, known as stroke, can result in brain damage or death.

    Heart Failure

    • AF may be associated with heart failure - a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to support the rest of the tissues of the body.

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The good news is… There is therapy available that can be used to help prevent and treat blood clots associated with AF

  • Many people continue to live normal lives with AF. The following is a list of some of the ways your doctor can help you manage your AF.

    Returning your heart rate to normal

    • In many cases, your doctor may be able to use electrical stimulation or medication to restore your normal heart rhythm or slow the heart rate.

    Preventing stroke

    • Treatment programs may be used to help prevent harmful clots from forming in the left atrium during AF. As a result, these treatments may help reduce the risk of stroke that is often associated with AF.

    Risks and responsibilities

    • Your doctor may use one or more of these methods to help manage your AF. Be sure you understand all the risks and responsibilities involved before you begin any treatment.
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INDICATIONS:

  • COUMADIN® (Warfarin Sodium) is used to help prevent and treat blood clots in the legs, lungs, and those clots associated with heart-valve replacement or an irregular, rapid heartbeat called atrial fibrillation.
  • If you have had a heart attack, COUMADIN may be used to lower the risk of death, another heart attack, stroke, and blood clots moving to other parts of the body.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

  • COUMADIN can cause serious and life-threatening bleeding. Bleeding is more likely to occur when you first start taking COUMADIN and with a higher dose.
  • Factors that can increase your risk of bleeding while on COUMADIN therapy include being 65 years of age or older, an INR greater than 4, highly variable INRs, history of bleeding involving the stomach or intestine, high blood pressure, certain diseases of the brain, heart or kidney, anemia, cancer, physical injury, taking other drugs, and a long duration of therapy.
  • The PT/INR test checks to see how fast your blood clots. Your healthcare provider will decide what PT/INR numbers are best for you. Your dose of COUMADIN will be adjusted to keep your PT/INR in a target range for you.
  • Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs or symptoms of bleeding problems such as the following: pain, swelling or discomfort, headache, dizziness, or weakness, unusual bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding of gums, bleeding from cuts that take a long time to stop, menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding that is heavier than normal, pink or brown urine, red or black stools, coughing up blood, or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grinds.

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  • Do not take COUMADIN (Warfarin Sodium) if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. COUMADIN can cause death or birth defects to an unborn baby. Use effective birth control if you can get pregnant.
  • Speak to your healthcare provider before breast-feeding while taking COUMADIN.
  • Tell your healthcare provider about all the medical conditions you may have, including recent or planned surgeries or medical or dental procedures.
  • Unsupervised patients with declining mental function due to aging or mental illness, and patients with alcoholism or increased risk of bleeding should not take COUMADIN.
  • Death of skin tissue (skin necrosis or gangrene) is a serious, side effect of COUMADIN. It happens because blood clots form and block blood flow to an area of your body. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have pain, color, or temperature change to any area of your body. You may need medical care right away to prevent death or loss (amputation) of your affected body part.
  • Call your healthcare provider right away if you have pain in your toes and they look purple or dark in color. You may be experiencing a serious condition known as purple toes syndrome.
  • Many factors alone or together such as changes in diet and medicines, including herbal supplements, may affect your response to COUMADIN. Tell your healthcare provider about your diet, all prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Speak with your healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any of these products. Many drugs, including aspirin and other pain medicines, may interact with COUMADIN (Warfarin Sodium).
  • Eat a normal balanced diet. Do not make changes in your diet, such as eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables, which contain Vitamin K without first talking to your healthcare provider.
  • Avoid alcohol consumption, cranberry juice, and cranberry products while taking COUMADIN.
  • Tell your doctor if you have any illness such as diarrhea, infection or fever.
  • Be aware that COUMADIN and generic warfarin tablets represent the same medication and should not be taken together, as overdosage may result.
  • If you take too much or miss a dose of COUMADIN, call your healthcare provider. Take the missed dose as soon as possible on the same day. Do not take a double dose of COUMADIN the next day to make up for a missed dose.
  • If you have any other questions about COUMADIN (Warfarin Sodium) and your condition, contact your healthcare provider.
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COUMADIN® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company.

COUMADIN (Warfarin Sodium), the COUMADIN color logo, COLORS OF COUMADIN, and the color and configuration of COUMADIN tablets are trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company.