Coumadin, whose generic name is Warfarin, and is produced by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, is an anticoagulant drug. It is more commonly known as a “blood thinner”; however it does not actually thin the blood. An anticoagulant helps the body control how quickly the blood clots and prevents clots from forming in certain medical conditions. Drugs like Coumadin can prevent a clot that is already present from getting bigger and can also prevent a piece of the clot from breaking off and reaching the heart, brain, or lungs. Anticoagulants do not dissolve blood clots, but over time, clots may dissolve on their own. (Cleveland Clinic, 2014) Coumadin works by inhibiting the way the body uses vitamin K. The metabolism of Coumadin, vitamin K, and vitamin K-dependent clotting factors occurs in the liver. “Coumadin prevents the production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which results in a slower clotting rate.” (National Blood Clot Alliance, 2014) Coumadin commonly comes in round and ridged tablets of different strengths and colors, although several manufacturers may produce the drug in an oval shape. The marked tablets can easily be broken in half to adjust the dose as your doctor may direct you to do. The dose of the drug usually varies from 1 mg to 10 mg taken once a day. The different colors of each tablet represent a different dosage 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 must be stored at a controlled room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees and must be protected...... half of paper ......d - Prescribing information. Retrieved from Rx List: http://www.rxlist.com/coumadin-drug/indications-dosage.htmRxList Inc. (2014, March 21). Courmadin (Warfarin Sodium) Patient Information: How should I take the medication? Retrieved from Rx List: http://www.rxlist.com/coumadin-drug/patient-how-to-take.htmThrombosis Canada. (2014, March 21). TIGC – Warfarin in children. Retrieved from TIGC: http://www.tigc.org/clinical-guides/Warfarin-in-Children.aspxU.S. National Library of Medicine. (2014, March 21). COUMADIN (WARFARIN SODIUM) TABLET [BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY. Retrieved from Daily Med: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=d91934a0-902e-c26c-23ca-d5accc4151b6WebMD, LLC. (2014, March 21). Heart disease, warfarin (Coumadin) and other anticoagulants. Retrieved from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/warfarin-other-blood-thinners