Covatex 5 mg 100 tablets

Product Description:

• Warfarin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner).
• Warfarin reduces the formation of blood clots.
• Warfarin is used to treat or prevent blood clots in the veins or arteries, which may reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other serious conditions.
• Warfarin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Directions for use:

• Take warfarin exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
• Follow all directions on your prescription label.
• Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
• Do not take warfarin in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than your doctor tells you to.
• Take warfarin at the same time every day, with or without food.
• Do not take a double dose.
• Warfarin can make bleeding easier. Seek emergency help if you experience bleeding that won't stop.
• You will need frequent INR or prothrombin time tests (to measure blood clotting time and determine your warfarin dose).
• You should remain under the care of a doctor while taking this medication.
• If you received warfarin in the hospital, call or visit your doctor 3 to 7 days after leaving the hospital.
• You will need to have your INR tested at that time.
• Don't miss any follow-up appointments.
• Tell your doctor if you get diarrhea, fever, chills, or flu symptoms, or if your weight changes.
• You may need to stop taking warfarin 5 to 7 days before having any surgery, dental work, or medical procedure.
• Contact your doctor for instructions.
• Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you are taking warfarin. Any healthcare provider who treats you should know that you are taking this medication.
• Store at room temperature away from heat, moisture and light.

What happens if I miss a dose:

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose.
• Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Warnings and Precautions:

• You should not take warfarin if you are prone to bleeding due to a medical condition, if you are having upcoming surgery, or if you need a spinal tap or epidural.
• Do not take warfarin if you cannot take it at the specified time every day.
• Warfarin increases your risk of severe or fatal bleeding, especially if you have certain medical conditions, are age 65 or older, or have had a stroke or bleeding in your stomach or intestines.
• Seek emergency help if you have any bleeding that will not stop.

Call your doctor immediately if you have other signs of bleeding such as:

• Swelling, pain, feeling very weak or dizzy, unusual bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, heavy menstrual periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding, blood in your urine, bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Many other medications can increase the risk of bleeding when used with warfarin.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines you have recently used.
• Avoid making any changes to your diet without talking to your doctor first.
• Some foods can make warfarin less effective.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take warfarin if you are allergic to it, or if:

• You have very high blood pressure.
• You have recently had or will have surgery on your brain, spine, or eye.
• You are having a spinal tap or spinal (epidural) anesthesia; or you cannot take warfarin at the scheduled time every day.

You should also not take this medicine if you are prone to bleeding due to a medical condition, such as:

• blood cell disorder (such as low red blood cells or low platelets);
• Ulcer or bleeding in the stomach, intestines, lungs, or urinary tract; an aneurysm or bleeding in the brain; or an infection in the lining of your heart.
• Do not take warfarin if you are pregnant, unless your doctor tells you to.
• Warfarin can cause birth defects, but preventing blood clots may outweigh any risks to the baby.
• If you are not pregnant, use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking warfarin and for at least 1 month after your last dose.
• Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.

Warfarin can make you bleed more easily, especially if you have ever had:

• High blood pressure or serious heart disease.
• Kidney disease.
• Cancer or low blood cell count.
• Accident or surgery.
• Bleeding in your stomach or intestines.
• Stroke or if you are age 65 or older.

To make sure warfarin is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Congestive heart failure.
• Liver disease or kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).
• Hereditary coagulation deficiency or low platelet count after taking heparin.
• It is not known if warfarin passes into breast milk.
• Watch for signs of bruising or bleeding in your baby if you take this medicine while breastfeeding.

What to avoid:

• Avoid activities that may increase the risk of bleeding or injury.
• Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.
• You may continue to bleed easily for several days after you stop taking warfarin.
• Avoid making any changes to your diet without talking to your doctor first.
• Foods rich in vitamin K (liver, green leafy vegetables, or vegetable oils) can make warfarin less effective.
• If these foods are part of your diet, eat a consistent amount on a weekly basis.
• Grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, noni juice, and pomegranate juice may interact with warfarin and lead to unwanted side effects.
• Avoid using these juice products while taking this medication.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Ask your doctor before using any medicine for pain, arthritis, fever, or swelling.
• This includes aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
• These medications may affect blood clotting and may also increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

Side effects of warfarin:

• Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to warfarin: difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Warfarin increases your risk of bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening.

Call your doctor immediately if you have any signs of bleeding such as:

• Sudden headache, feeling very weak or dizzy.
• Unusual swelling, pain, and bruising.
• Bleeding gums and nosebleeds.
• Bleeding from cuts or needle sticks that doesn't stop;
• Heavy menstrual periods or abnormal vaginal bleeding.
• blood in the urine, bloody or tarry stools; or
• Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
• Clots caused by warfarin can block normal blood flow, which can lead to tissue death or amputation of the affected body part.

Get medical help right away if you have:

• Pain, swelling, a feeling of heat or cold, changes in skin or discoloration of the body anywhere; or
• Sudden, severe pain in the leg or foot, foot ulcers, purple fingers or toes.
• Bleeding is the most common side effect of warfarin.
• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

What other drugs will affect warfarin?

• Many medications (including some prescription and over-the-counter medications and herbal products) can affect your INR and may increase your risk of bleeding if you take them with warfarin.
• Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this medication guide.

It is very important to ask your doctor and pharmacist before you start or stop using any other medicine, especially:

• Other medications to prevent blood clots.
• Antibiotic or antifungal medication.
• Supplements containing vitamin K; or herbal (botanical) products—coenzyme Q10, cranberry, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goldenseal, or St. John's wort.
• This list is not complete and many other medications can interact with warfarin.
• This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
• Give a list of all your medications to any healthcare provider who treats you.

the components:

Warfarin sodium is available in 3 strengths:

• 1 mg
• 2 mg
• 5 mg