Aspirin vs. Warfarin (Coumadin)

• Are Warfarin (Coumadin) and Aspirin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Aspirin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Warfarin (Coumadin)?
• What is Aspirin?
• What is Warfarin (Coumadin)?
• What Drugs Interact with Aspirin?
• What Drugs Interact with Warfarin (Coumadin)?
• How Should Aspirin Be Taken?
• How Should Warfarin (Coumadin) Be Taken?

Aspirin and Coumadin (warfarin) are used to prevent blood clots, to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Aspirin is also used to treat fever, pain, and inflammation in the body.

Aspirin and Coumadin belong to different drug classes. Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and Coumadin is an anticoagulant (blood thinner).

Common side effects of Aspirin include:

• rash,
• gastrointestinal ulcerations,
• abdominal pain,
• upset stomach,
• heartburn,
• drowsiness,
• headache,
• cramping,
• nausea,
• gastritis, and
• bleeding

Common side effects of Warfarin (Coumadin) include:

• easy bruising and bleeding,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• bloating,
• gas, or
• altered sense of taste.

Aspirin (aspirin) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) prescribed for treating fever, pain, inflammation in the body, prevention of blood clots, and reduction of the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Coumadin (warfarin) is a blood anticoagulant that inhibits the function of Vitamin K dependent coagulation used to inhibit the coagulation of blood to reduce or prevent the chance of developing heart attacks (myocardial infarctions), strokes, and venous and other blood clots (deep venous thromboses, pulmonary emboli and thrombi produced with atrial fibrillation). Coumadin is also used to treat these conditions if they develop. Coumadin is available as a generic.

Aspirin may interact with other blood thinners, aspirin, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Coumadin may interact with other medications to prevent blood clots, antibiotics, antifungals, sulfa drugs, medicines to treat tuberculosis, antidepressants, herbal (botanical) products (including coenzyme Q10, cranberry, echinacea, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, goldenseal, or St. John's wort), secobarbital, barbiturates, seizure medications, and other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Bayer Aspirin dose ranges from 50 mg to 6000 mg daily.

Coumadin has a wide range of tablets: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.5 and 10 mg tablets are available. An injectable form of the drug (5 mg) is also available. The dose of Coumadin is determined in each individual by administering a trial dose and ten measuring the patient's INR (International Normalized Ratio), a lab test that is standardized by the WHO (world Health Organization) and recognized worldwide. Therapeutic ranges for this test are between 2.0 to 3.0 when a patient is taking Coumadin.