Indications

Coumadin (generically warfarin, alternately Jantoven) is an anticoagulant or blood thinner, which means that it inhibits blood from clotting. It is often prescribed for patients with thrombosis (blood clots blocking blood vessels), embolisms (blood clots that become dislodged and circulate through the blood), artificial heart valves, a history of strokes or atrial fibrillation, and preventively after a heart attack. It is also prescribed in a rare condition called Hughes syndrome (antiphospholipid syndrome or APS), in which the blood clots too often.

Bleeding

Patients taking Coumadin who have no kidney impairment may suffer some side effects because of increased bleeding that occurs while taking the drug. Depending on the severity and location of the bleeding, it could strain the kidneys, giving them more waste to filter.

Kidney Dysfunction

Patients on Coumadin with some kidney dysfunction may suffer kidney failure because of renal hematomas (bleeding within the kidneys) or interstitial nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). This particular side effect is considered infrequent. Hematuria (blood in urine) can be a more frequent side effect.

Renal Biopsy

To diagnose kidney problems, doctors often will perform a biopsy to take a sample of the kidney cells. Because of the risk of renal hematomas and hematuria when on Coumadin, your doctor will ask you to discontinue taking the drug for a few days before the biopsy.

SHARE