Aspirin vs. Warfarin (Coumadin)

Are Aspirin and Warfarin (Coumadin) the Same Thing?

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).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Aspirin?

Common side effects of Aspirin include:

What Are Possible Side Effects of Warfarin (Coumadin)?

Common side effects of Warfarin (Coumadin) include:

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

What is Aspirin?

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.

What is Warfarin (Coumadin)?

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.

What Drugs Interact With Aspirin?

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

What Drugs Interact With Warfarin (Coumadin)?

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.

How Should Aspirin Be Taken?

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

How Should Warfarin (Coumadin) Be Taken?

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.

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References


Bayer. Aspirin Product Information.

https://www.bayeraspirin.com/

Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharma Company. Coumadin Product Information.

http://www.coumadin.bmscustomerconnect.com/

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