Warfarin is an anticoagulant used to prevent heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Learn about side effects, interactions and indications. Learn all about warfarin including how it works, side effects, vitamin K interactions and the importance of taking it as prescribed. 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 slows down your blood’s ability to clot. 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 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). Find patient medical information for Warfarin on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings 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 DOSING GUIDELINE PURPOSE: This document is intended as a guide to managing patients requiring warfarin therapy. It should be coupled with, and not supersede, clinical judgment. Evidence-based tools, such as dosing nomograms, should always be used in conjunction with clinical information pertaining to specific patient characteristics and conditions. UNMH Inpatient Antithrombosis. Warfarin: learn about side effects, dosage, special precautions, and more on MedlinePlus Warfarin is used to treat blood clots and/or to prevent new clots from forming in your body. Learn about side effects, drug interactions, dosages, warnings, and more.