|  | Public Health Safety | Public Health

Cumadin Side Effects

Coumadin is a prescription medication used for the prevention and treatment of dangerous blood clots. The medicine makes sure the blood is flowing properly by lowering the blood's clotting proteins. It is classified as an anticoagulant. As with any medicine, there are possible negative side effects that could occur as a result of using Coumadin.

  1. Severe Side Effects

    • Coumadin has no commonly reported side effects but many severe side effects. In cases of these serious but uncommon side effects, emergency medical attention is necessary. These include coughing up blood, ulcers; skin sores; fever; dizziness; bloody or dark stools; chest ache; urinating less frequently; sores or wounds that do not heal normally; yellowing of the eyes or of the skin; sudden and extreme pain of the toes, feet, or legs; pale skin; dark, purple or painful toes; tingling or numbness; vomit that is bloody or that resembles coffee grounds; abnormal temperature change or color on any part of the body; abnormal bleeding or bruising; increased vaginal or menstrual bleeding; bleeding more due to cuts; abnormal weakness or pain; passing out; difficulty swallowing; blood within the urine (brown or pink color); muscle, side, back, stomach and joint pain.

    Signs of Stroke

    • Signs of stroke are also considered to be highly serious side effects of Coumadin. Those who think they are experiencing stroke symptoms must seek medical attention immediately. Signs include slurred communication, weakness on just one side of the body, problems with vision, confusion and disorientation.

    Allergic Reactions

    • Allergic reactions are also considered to be serious side effects of the medication. Some signs of allergic reaction to Coumadin include difficulty with breathing, tightness of the chest, itchiness, skin rash, breaking out into hives, and swelling of the tongue, mouth, lips and face.

    Warnings

    • Coumadin is not appropriate for everyone. People who should not take this medicine include those with blood cell disorders (such as anemia), stomach bleeding or ulcer, a bleeding condition (like hemophilia), a heart infection, swelling surrounding the heart, and those who have experienced bleeding of the brain or aneurysm.

    Overdose

    • If you believes you might have taken too much Coumadin, seek emergency medical assistance. Some symptoms of Coumadin overdose are broken blood vessels underneath the skin, bruises, bleeding excessively due to wounds or cuts, bloody urine or stools, and for females, excessively heavy menstrual periods.

Public Health - Related Articles