Coumadin Monitoring Error: Malpractice and Lawsuits

Warfarin, brand name Coumadin, is a prescription drug often prescribed for use in humans as an anticoagulant.  This substance was originally developed for use as a pesticide, or a rat poison, and it continues to be used in that manner to this day.  In the early 1950’s this substance was found to be safe and effective for use in humans to prevent thrombosis and abnormal formation and migration of blood clots arising from multiple vascular and “blood flow” related conditions.  It is now one of the most widely prescribed anticoagulant medications in North America. 

This drug is effective in inhibiting blood clot formation in patients dealing with areas of “slow running blood” in veins and pooled blood amassing behind artificial veins, and finally, controlling clots forming due to heart disease.  It is only occasionally prescribed after a heart attack for the reason that it is not effective in preventing the formation of new thromboses, or new blood clots, in previously clogged coronary arteries.

Common Risks Associated with Coumadin Use

Monitoring Serum Chemical Interactions - Coumadin is prescribed for people with existing blood clots, or thrombus, and to reduce the risk of  migration of previously formed clots to a areas where they could block the blood flow supply from reaching vital organs.  The correct dosing of Coumadin is complicated by the fact that this substance reacts with many other commonly used medications and even common chemicals present in certain foods such as ginger and garlic, and even cranberry juice.  When Coumadin is paired with such medications and food chemicals the result can radically enhance or reduce the effect of the Coumadin producing dangerous side effects such as severe hemorrhaging, or alternatively, a full failure to prevent clot migration to a vital organ. 

Risk of Bleeding

The bleeding risk side effect of Coumadin use is increased where there is unmonitored patient use of antiplatelet drugs, hemodialysis, aspirin, and many other common anti-inflammatory drugs.  It is vital that Coumadin monitoring take place initially on a daily basis by way of physician evaluation of appropriate blood chemical level testing and other related evaluations. 

• Pregnancy - Coumadin should not be employed during a pregnancy.  It passes through the placental barrier and causes fetal bleeding, spontaneous abortion, still birth, neonatal death and miscarriage.  Coumadin contains “teratogens” which are known to cause congenital birth defects including “FWS” or Fetal Warfarin Syndrome.
• Alcohol Use  - Excessive use of alcohol while taking Coumadin is known to affect patient metabolism of the drug and can result in elevating the INR or the “international normalized ratio” levels that must be closely monitored by a physician prescribing this drug to patients known to regularly abuse alcohol.  Patients should be made fully aware of the risks associated with excessive alcohol use while taking this drug.
• Warfarin Necrosis - Frequently, shortly after initiating Coumadin treatment in patients with blood deficiency of “protein C”, an innate blood anticoagulant inhibited by Coumadin, patient blood levels of protein C decrease coagulation factors resulting in an increase in blood coagulation or clotting instead of the intended decrease in clotting times.  This type of negative drug reaction can only be avoided by timely physician monitoring of blood chemical levels and other associated blood testing.

Getting Legal Help

There are obviously significant risks associated with the unmonitored and/or inefficiently monitored use of the drug Coumadin in patients fighting heart disease.  If you suspect that you or a member of your family was injured by the use of this drug it is important to contact a medical malpractice attorney to discuss the details of your suspicions in order to timely take all necessary steps to preserve important legal rights.  Financial loses including lost wages, wrongful death, pain and suffering and loss of consortium with other family members arising from injury due to improperly monitored use of Coumadin may be recoverable.