Warfarin

Warfarin (also known under the brand names of Coumadin® and Marevan®) is an anticoagulant medication that is administered orally. It is used for the prophylaxis of thrombosis and embolism in many disorders. Its activity has to be monitored by frequent blood testing for the international normalized ratio (INR).

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Warfarin was originally developed as a rat poison, and is still widely used as such, although warfarin-resistant rats are becoming more common.

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Anticoagulant: An anticoagulant is a substance that prevents coagulation; that is, it stops blood from clotting. A group of pharmaceuticals called anticoagulants can be used in vivo as a medication for thrombotic disorders. Some chemical compounds are used in medical equipment, such as test tubes, blood transfusio...

Medication: A medication is a licenced drug taken to cure or reduce symptoms of an illness or medical condition....

Prophylaxis: Prophylaxis refers to any medical or public health procedure whose purpose is to prevent, rather than treat or cure, disease. Roughly, prophylactic measures are divided between primary prophylaxis (to prevent the development of a disease) and secondary prophylaxis (where the disease has already deve...