Warfarin: An Anticoagulant Therapy Review

Authors: Abdulaziz Alamri, Ahmad Bawazeer, Tariq Almotiri, Sattam Alharbi, Delyal Alshammari, Bader Alnasser, Hani Alswayeh

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13485767

Short DOI: https://doi.org/gt76rn

Country: Saudi Arabia

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Abstract: Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), is one of the most commonly prescribed oral anticoagulant medications worldwide (1). It has been used clinically for over 60 years and remains an important therapeutic option for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. Warfarin's mechanism of action involves the inhibition of vitamin K epoxide reductase, an enzyme crucial for the activation of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X (2). This disruption in the coagulation cascade leads to a reduction in the body's ability to form blood clots.

The therapeutic use of warfarin is complex, as it requires careful monitoring and dose adjustments to maintain the patient's international normalized ratio (INR) within a targeted range to ensure the optimal balance between the prevention of thrombosis and the risk of bleeding complications (3). This review will provide an in-depth analysis of warfarin, covering its pharmacology, clinical indications, dosing considerations, monitoring requirements, adverse effects, and emerging alternatives to this longstanding anticoagulant therapy.

Keywords: NA

Paper Id: 231071

Published On: 2016-08-23

Published In: Volume 4, Issue 4, July-August 2016

Cite This: Warfarin: An Anticoagulant Therapy Review - Abdulaziz Alamri, Ahmad Bawazeer, Tariq Almotiri, Sattam Alharbi, Delyal Alshammari, Bader Alnasser, Hani Alswayeh - IJIRMPS Volume 4, Issue 4, July-August 2016. DOI 10.5281/zenodo.13485767

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