Warfarin is an anticoagulant used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Learn about side effects, interactions and indications. Warfarin: learn about side effects, dosage, special precautions, and more on MedlinePlus Warfarin is used to prevent or treat blood clots, including deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. It is also used for blood clots that may be caused by certain heart conditions, open-heart surgery, or after a heart attack. Warfarin (Jantoven) is a medicine to prevent blood clots. It may save your life if you've had blood clots or are at risk of them. But warfarin can sometimes cause serious side effects, such as heavy bleeding. It's important to have regular health checkups if you take the medicine. Warfarin (Coumadin® and Jantoven®) is an anticoagulant medication or “blood thinner” you take to prevent and treat blood clots that can lead to a stroke or heart attack. Warfarin is used to decrease the tendency for thrombosis, or as secondary prophylaxis (prevention of further episodes) in those individuals who have already formed a blood clot (thrombus). Treatment for bleeding associated with warfarin depends upon the level of bleeding, the INR elevation, and risk factors for forming a blood clot. There are several methods to reverse bleeding from warfarin, including vitamin K, prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), or fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Learn all about warfarin including how it works, side effects, vitamin K interactions and the importance of taking it as prescribed. Find patient medical information for Warfarin on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings † For patients on triple therapy (e.g. warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel), it might be reasonable to target a lower INR of 2-2.5 and use a PPI for duration of triple therapy.