How is Coumadin administered?

Coumadin, also known as warfarin, is an anticoagulant medication primarily administered orally. This route is preferred as it allows for consistent absorption and ease of use for patients, who can take the medication at home without the need for injections or infusions. The oral administration of Coumadin enables it to effectively modulate blood coagulation by interfering with the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver, which is essential for its therapeutic action.

While Coumadin can be adjusted in dosage to achieve a desired international normalized ratio (INR) for anticoagulation, other routes such as intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular are not utilized for this specific medication. Such methods are typically reserved for other types of medications that require immediate effects or cannot be absorbed orally. Therefore, recognizing the oral-only administration of Coumadin is crucial in understanding its therapeutic use and management in managing conditions like atrial fibrillation or venous thromboembolism.