Coumadin, whose generic name is Warfarin and is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, is an anticoagulant medication. It is more commonly called an “anticoagulant”; however, it does not actually thin the blood. An anticoagulant helps your body control the rate at which your blood clots and prevents clots from forming in certain medical conditions. Medications such as Coumadin can prevent an already present clot from getting bigger and can also prevent a piece of the clot from breaking off and traveling to your heart, brain, or lungs. Anticoagulants do not dissolve blood clots, but over time they may dissolve on their own. (Cleveland Clinic, 2014) Coumadin works by inhibiting the way your body uses vitamin K. The metabolism of Coumadin, vitamin K, and vitamin K-dependent clotting factors takes place in your liver. “Coumadin prevents the production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, resulting in a slower clotting rate.” (National Blood Clot Alliance, 2014) Coumadin most commonly comes in round, scored tablets of varying strengths and colors, although different manufacturers may produce the drug in an oval shape. Scored tablets are intended to be easily divided in half to adjust your dose, as your doctor may direct. The dose of the medication usually ranges from 1 mg to 10 mg, taken once a day. The different colors of each tablet represent a different concentration measured in milligrams.• 1 mg (pink)• 2 mg (lavender)• 2.5 mg (green)• 3 mg (tan)• 4 mg (blue)• 5 mg ( peach)• 6 mg (teal or blue green)• 7.5 mg (yellow)• 10 mg (white)Coumadin in pill form is taken orally. It should be stored at a controlled room temperature of 59 to 86 degrees and should be protected...... middle of paper ......d - Prescribing information. Retrieved from Rx List: http://www.rxlist.com/coumadin-drug/indications-dosage.htmRxList Inc. (March 21, 2014). Courmadin (warfarin sodium) Patient Information: How should I take this medicine? Retrieved from Rx List: http://www.rxlist.com/coumadin-drug/patient-how-to-take.htmThrombosis Canada. (March 21, 2014). TIGC - Warfarin in children. Retrieved from TIGC: http://www.tigc.org/clinical-guides/Warfarin-in-Children.aspxU.S. National Library of Medicine. (March 21, 2014). COUMADINE (WARFARIN SODIUM) TABLET [BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB PHARMA COMPANY. Retrieved from Daily Med: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=d91934a0-902e-c26c-23ca-d5accc4151b6WebMD, LLC. (March 21, 2014). Heart disease, warfarin (Coumadin) and other blood thinners. Retrieved from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/warfarin-other-blood-thinners