Heparin vs Coumadin: Difference and Comparison

Internal blood clots are a medical emergency because they can cut off the blood supply to the arms, legs, or, more critically, the lungs or brain.

Heparin and Coumadin both function by lowering the natural clotting ability of platelets and plasma in the blood, although they do so in distinct ways.

They also aid in the prevention of future blood clots. When some blood molecules (platelets and plasma proteins known as cofactors) clump together, they produce a semi-solid gel-like mass.

Key Takeaways

1. Heparin is a fast-acting anticoagulant administered intravenously or subcutaneously, while Coumadin (warfarin) is a slow-acting oral anticoagulant.
2. Heparin has a shorter half-life, requiring frequent monitoring, whereas Coumadin’s longer half-life allows for less frequent dosing adjustments.
3. Heparin is commonly used in hospitals for acute conditions, while Coumadin is prescribed for long-term anticoagulation therapy.

Heparin vs Coumadin

The difference between Heparin and Coumadin is as certain variables that trigger thrombin and helps in clotting blood are inhibited by heparin medications. Coumadin antagonist is vitamin K based, meaning your blood clots less easily. That is, it affects your liver by changing vitamin K into other chemicals, or “factors,” that aid in blood clotting.

Heparin is administered as a shot and acts faster than Coumadin. Un-fractionated heparin (UFH) is administered through an IV in a hospital setting.

Your doctor will give you more if you weigh more. Your blood will be checked regularly by medical officials to make sure that your medication is correct.

Coumadin is indeed a premium brand for warfare, a blood thinner. Coumadin, like heparin, affects the action of specific plasma proteins in the body.

Vitamin K, which regulates the formation of blood clotting cofactors, is affected by Coumadin. When vitamin K is unable to function properly, it hinders the production of these cofactors in the first place.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Heparin	Coumadin
Definition	An anticoagulant that works directly on blood vessels. It’s a mixture of sulfated mucopolysaccharides with a high molecular weight.	Coumadin is an anticoagulant that works indirectly. It’s a natural substance.
Mechanism	Prevents fibrin and thrombin from doing their jobs properly.	Prevents vitamin K from doing its job properly.
Speed	Heparin is more effective than Coumadin. When an immediate effect is required, it is advised.	It takes longer to work, after 12-72 hours, the clinical effect appears. It is suggested for long-term treatment.
Pregnancy	Safe during Pregnancy.	Not safe during Pregnancy
Usage	Heparin is administered through injection. It is inactive and not absorbed after oral ingestion.	It’s taken as a tablet. Coumadin is promptly and completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration.

What is Heparin?

Heparin functions by blocking the proper function of fibrin and thrombin, two plasma proteins. Blood clots cannot form as easily when certain cofactors (proteins that help to clot the blood) are inhibited.

Heparin cannot destroy preexisting blood to clot in the body but can block it from growing or producing new clots.

Heparin is administered as an injectable medicine. It can be administered intravenously (straight into a vein) or subcutaneously.

Subcutaneous injections are administered using a tiny needle that is inserted directly under the skin into the layer of fat between the skin and the muscle.

Before being sent home, most people who take heparin outside the hospital are trained to give subcutaneous injections.

These medications are also known as dalteparin (Fragmin) and enoxaparin. Your dose is determined by your weight, just like with UFH.

These medications operate similarly to UFH. However, they are more stable and do not require hospital personnel monitoring.

Heparin works immediately to prevent clots, but it wears out quickly after medical personnel cease administering it. In the event of an emergency, an antidote can be used to reverse the effects.

The patient is required to visit the hospital. Medical personnel must also keep a careful eye on you and may sample your blood a lot of times a day to confirm that the patient is safe.

The patient needs to stay in the hospital for 5-10 days.

What is Coumadin?

Coumadin, similar to heparin, interferes with the activity of particular plasma cellular proteins. Coumadin affects vitamin K, which governs the production of blood clotting cofactors.

When vitamin K is unable to function effectively, it prevents the manufacturing of these cofactors from occurring in the first place.

Coumadin is available as an intravenous injection, a subcutaneous patch, or an oral tablet. Coumadin is frequently prescribed as a daily tablet by doctors.

The results of the Prothrombin-Time test determine your dosage.

Because that ratio is the conventional way to present test findings, this is also known as international normalized ratio (INR) testing.

It’s also used to treat clotting problems caused by atrial fibrillation and cardiac stents.

It is given once a day by mouth, and patients’ INR levels are checked regularly to ensure that their Coumadin dose is correct.

The test measures the speed at which your blood clots. Your doctor will do this test every few weeks, and your dose will be adjusted if necessary. ‘

The doctor will have to examine the blood to keep a record of medication and food. Make sure that Coumadin usage is as per the requirement, as an overdose could cause negative effects.

The patient may need to take care of the intake of vitamin K to help doctors determine the appropriate dose for you.

Main Differences Between Heparin and Coumadin

1. Heparin is an anticoagulant that works directly on the blood vessels. It’s a mixture of sulfated mucopolysaccharides with a high molecular weight, whereas Coumadin is an anticoagulant that works indirectly. It’s a natural substance.
2. Heparin prevents fibrin and thrombin from doing their jobs properly, whereas Coumadin prevents vitamin K from doing its job properly.
3. Heparin is more effective than Coumadin. It is advised when an immediate effect is required, whereas Coumadin takes longer to work than heparin. After 12 to 72 hours, the clinical effect appears.
4. Heparin is taken mostly through injection. It is inactive and not absorbed after oral ingestion, whereas Coumadin is taken as a tablet. Coumadin is promptly and completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration.
5. Coumadin penetrates the breast milk and passes through the placental barrier, making it effective and safe for use during pregnancy and lactation. Heparin does not cross the placental barrier and is not excreted in breast milk, making it effective and safe for use during pregnancy and lactation. When this medication is taken during pregnancy, it causes a distinct dysmorphism in the body.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ccd.10084
2. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/01.CIR.93.3.412

Last Updated : 13 June, 2023