Heparin and Warfarin are two medications used for thinning the blood, specifically in medical cases such as heart disease, unstable angina, stroke, etc. These two medications are mostly used after surgery to dry out the wounded or affected areas as soon as possible, as they can clog the blood and cause infection in that area. These two medications work both internally and externally. Even though the medications are used for the same purpose, but there are many distinct differences between them.
Key Takeaways
- Heparin acts rapidly as an anticoagulant, while warfarin has a slower onset of action.
- Heparin is administered through injection, while warfarin is taken orally.
- Physicians monitor heparin treatment using the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), while warfarin therapy is monitored through the international normalized ratio (INR).
Heparin vs Warfarin
Heparin is a natural anticoagulant that prevents the formation of blood clots by inhibiting the activity of clotting factors in the blood. Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant that works by inhibiting the production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver to prevent blood clots.
Heparin is a drug/medication that is used for stopping the blood from getting clogged. Heparin is also widely known as Unfractionated Heparin. The Heparin medication is given to the patients through their veins, with the help of an injection. Since the medication intake is done through the veins, it quickly reacts within 4-6 hours in the patient’s body. Hence, it can be termed as a blood-thinning drug that takes less time to show its effects.
On the other hand, Warfarin is also a blood-thinning medication that is under the brand name Coumadin. It is widely used to avoid strokes in various diseases that can clog the blood in the human body. The intake of the Warfarin medication is done orally, and that’s why it takes time to work on the patient’s body. Warfarin takes about 3-6 days to show its effects; hence, it is comparatively least preferred.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Heparin | Warfarin |
|---|---|---|
| Anticoagulant Type | Generally, Heparin is considered to be a direct anticoagulant. | Generally, Warfarin is considered to be an indirect anticoagulant. |
| Effectiveness of the Medication During Pregnancy | Heparin is a drug that is the most preferred anticoagulant drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it never crosses the barrier of the placenta or is never discharged with the milk while feeding. | Warfarin is a drug that is not preferred as an anticoagulant drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it crosses the barrier of the placenta and is also discharged with the milk while feeding. |
| Molecule Size | The size of the molecules of the Heparin is comparatively big. | The size of the molecules of Warfarin is comparatively small. |
| Intake | Heparin is taken with the help of injection through the veins of the body. | Warfarin intake is done orally. |
| Effectiveness | Heparin affects the human body within 3-4 hours. | Warfarin affects the human body within 3-6 days. |
| Recommendation of Doses | Heparin doses are recommended for at least four days by the specialist. | Warfarin is not recommended too much by the specialist, as its processes are late. |
| Pathway | The pathways for Heparin are Intrinsic and common. | The pathways for Warfarin are Extrinsic and common. |
| Duration | Heparin takes less time to show its effects. | Warfarin takes more time to show its effects. |
| Antidote | Protamine is considered the antidote to Heparin. | Phytomenadione is considered the antidote to Warfarin. |
| Chemical Formula | The chemical formula that represents Heparin is C¹²H¹⁹NO²⁰S³. | The chemical formula that represents Warfarin is C¹⁹H¹⁶O⁴. |
| Side Effects | The side effects of Heparin include many things such as bleeding, pain, redness, itchiness in the feet, pale skin color, etc. | The side effects of Warfarin include many things such as bleeding, color change of urine into red or brown, intense headaches and stomach aches, body pain, etc. |
What is Heparin?
Heparin is one of the leading anticoagulants that is used for thinning the blood when an abnormality or any disease is detected in the human body. Generally, Heparin is considered to be a direct anticoagulant. It is termed a direct anticoagulant because it is absorbed by the body directly from the veins, which makes the process quick and easy. The chemical formula that represents Heparin is C¹²H¹⁹NO²⁰S³.
Heparin is a drug that is the most preferred anticoagulant drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it never crosses the barrier of the placenta or is never discharged with the milk while feeding. During pregnancy or while breastfeeding, some medications are harmful to the baby after birth or even during pregnancy. And therefore, Heparin is one of the medications that protect the baby from its effects. The size of the molecules of Heparin is comparatively big. The reason behind why Heparin does not affect the baby is because of the huge size of its particles that can not pass through some specific inner parts of the body.
The pathways for Heparin are Intrinsic and common. Also, showing its effectiveness on the patient’s body takes less time. Within 3-4 hours, Heparin does its work. And this is because it is taken through the veins that make the liquid flow through the veins to the whole body. And, Protamine is considered the antidote to Heparin.
What is Warfarin?
Warfarin is an anticoagulant used to stop the blood from clogging caused by various diseases. The chemical formula that represents Warfarin is C¹⁹H¹⁶O⁴. It has both advantages as well as many disadvantages. Even though Warfarin is widely used in many cases but it is restricted in some specific cases, such as pregnancy. Warfarin is not at all preferred during pregnancy because it can pass through the barriers of the placenta and can also be discharged while breastfeeding the baby. The main reason behind this is the small size of the particles that can easily pass from one place to the other.
Generally, Warfarin is considered to be an indirect anticoagulant. Also, it takes a longer time to show its effects on the patients, and if any patient urgently requires an anticoagulant for usage, then Warfarin is not preferred as it takes 3-6 days. Warfarin intake is done orally. And hence, it takes time to adjust and absorb by the body. The pathways for Warfarin are Extrinsic and common.
The side effects of Warfarin include many things such as bleeding, color change of urine into red or brown, intense headaches and stomach aches, body pain, etc. If one sees any side effects, then one should immediately consult a doctor. And also, Phytomenadione, the antidote to Warfarin, should be used.
Main Differences Between Heparin and Warfarin
- Generally, Heparin is considered to be a direct anticoagulant. On the other hand, generally, Warfarin is considered to be an indirect anticoagulant.
- Heparin is a drug that is the most preferred anticoagulant drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it never crosses the barrier of the placenta or is never discharged with the milk while feeding. On the other hand, Warfarin is a drug that is not preferred as an anticoagulant drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding as it crosses the barrier of the placenta and is also discharged with milk while feeding.
- The size of the molecules of Heparin is comparatively big. On the other hand, the size of the molecules of Warfarin is comparatively small.
- Heparin is taken with the help of injection through the veins of the body. On the other hand, Warfarin intake is done orally.
- Heparin affects the human body within 3-4 hours. On the other hand, Warfarin affects the human body within 3-6 days.
- Heparin doses are recommended for at least four days by the specialist. On the other hand, Warfarin is not recommended too much by the specialist, as its processes are late.
- The pathways for Heparin are Intrinsic and common. On the other hand, the pathways for Warfarin are Extrinsic and common.
- Heparin takes less time to show its effects. On the other hand, Warfarin takes more time to show its effects.
- Protamine is considered the antidote to Heparin. On the other hand, Phytomenadione is considered the antidote to Warfarin.
- The chemical formula that represents Heparin is C¹²H¹⁹NO²⁰S³. On the other hand, the chemical formula that represents Warfarin is C¹⁹H¹⁶O⁴.
- The side effects of Heparin include many things, such as bleeding, pain, redness, itchiness in the feet, pale skin color, etc. On the other hand, the side effects of Warfarin include many things such as bleeding, color change of urine into red or brown, intense headaches and stomach aches, body pain, etc.
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM198201283060401
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07119.x
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I appreciate the comparison table that outlines the differences between Heparin and Warfarin in such a clear and organized manner. It makes it easier to understand the contrasts between these medications.
The explanation of why Heparin is preferred over Warfarin during pregnancy is very enlightening. This helps to appreciate the importance of using the right medication for specific medical conditions.
The detailed scientific explanations of how Heparin and Warfarin work in the body are extremely helpful for anyone seeking to understand the mechanisms of these medications and their effects. It’s crucial knowledge.
The comparison of the effects, pathways, and antidotes of Heparin and Warfarin is essential to anyone who may need to use these medications, whether for medical professionals or patients themselves.
This is a very informative and well-detailed comparison of Heparin and Warfarin. It’s important for patients to understand the differences between these two medications.
I completely agree with what you said. The chemical differences and mechanisms of action of these blood thinners are very important to know as a patient.
The breakdown of side effects and the chemical formulas of Heparin and Warfarin add a valuable layer of understanding to this comprehensive overview. Such details contribute greatly to medical education.
The explanations of the processes and pathways of Heparin and Warfarin are incredibly well-researched and presented. The details provided here are of great benefit to those seeking comprehensive knowledge about blood thinning medications.
The information provided here is incredibly detailed and accurate. It’s essential for medical professionals to understand these differences in order to make the best decisions for their patients.