Navigating Anticoagulation: A Deep Drive into Chemically and Therapeutic Details of Warfarin

Warfarin

Warfarin is an anticoagulant agent. it is derived from coumarin. Warfarin is an odorless, colorless solid and very hygroscopic in nature. The molecular weight of warfarin is 308.3 gm/mol. It is soluble in acetone, and dioxane. moderately soluble in ethanol, isopropanol, methanol, and some oil. Freely soluble in alkaline aqueous solution .warfarin is practically insoluble in benzene and cyclohexane. It is also known as, Coumefene, Brumolin, Prothromadin, Zoocoumarin, Dethnel, Maveran, Solfarin, Warfarat, Coumaphene, Rotaxin, etc.

Structure-

The molecular formula of Warfarin is, [C19H16O4].

Warfarin Structure

The IUPAC name of Warfarin is 4-hydroxy-3-(3-oxo-1-phenylbutayl)chromen-2-one.

Synthesis-

Warfarin is derived from coumarin. There are two steps in the synthesis of warfarin,

in the first step synthesis of 4-hydroxycoumarin is prepared from methylsalicylate.

Warfarin Synthesis-step:1

In the second step, the addition of 4-hydroxycoumarin with benzo lactone occurs,

Warfarin Synthesis-step:2

Uses-

It is used to treat people who have had a blood clot, such as a blood clot in the leg (Deep Vain Thrombosis) or a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Dose-

The initial adult dose for thromboembolism in atrial fibrillation is, 2 to 5 mg orally once a day and the maintenance dose is 2 to 10mg orally once a day.

The initial adult dose for thromboembolic stroke prophylaxis is 2 to 5mg orally once a day and the maintenance dose is 2 to 10mg orally once daily.

The initial adult dose for myocardial infarction is 2 to 5 mg orally once a day and the maintenance dose is 2 to 10 mg orally once daily, for at least 3 months.

The initial adult dose for myocardial infarction prophylaxis is 2 to 5 mg orally once a day and the maintenance dose is 2 to 10 mg orally once daily, for at least 3 months. 

Side-effects-

The overdose of warfarin shows different types of side effects like,

#Nosebleeds.

#Bleeding. 

#Heavier periods.

#Bruising.