Taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) - what to ask your doctor

Warfarin - what to ask your doctor; Coumadin - what to ask your doctor; Jantoven - what to ask your doctor

Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) is a medicine that helps keep your blood from clotting. It is also known as a blood thinner. This drug may be important if you have already had blood clots, or if your doctor is worried that you may form a blood clot.

Below are questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you when you take warfarin.


Why am I taking warfarin?

  • What is a blood thinner?
  • How does it work?
  • Are there alternative blood thinners I could use?

What will be changed for me?

  • How much bruising or bleeding should I expect?
  • What should I do differently at school or work?

How should I take warfarin?

  • How can I tell the different warfarin pills apart?
  • How long will I need to take the warfarin?



What should I do if I fall? Are there changes I should make around the home?




Aronson JK. Coumarin anticoagulants. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:702-737.

Schulman S. Hirsh J. Antithrombotic therapy. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 38.


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          Review Date: 2/6/2019





