Dicumarol (Dicumarol)
Overview of Dicumarol
Dicumarol is an coumarin-like compound found in sweet clover. It is used as an oral anticoagulant and acts by inhibiting the hepatic synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors (prothrombin and factors VII, IX, and X). It is also used in biochemical experiments as an inhibitor of reductases. Dicumarol inhibits vitamin K reductase, resulting in depletion of the reduced form of vitamin K (vitamin KH2). As vitamin K is a cofactor for the carboxylation of glutamate residues on the N-terminal regions of vitamin K-dependent proteins, this limits the gamma-carboxylation and subsequent activation of the vitamin K-dependent coagulant proteins. The synthesis of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X and anticoagulant proteins C and S is inhibited. Depression of three of the four vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors (factors II, VII, and X) results in decresed prothrombin levels and a decrease in the amount of thrombin generated and bound to fibrin. This reduces the thrombogenicity of clots. Anticoagulants decrease the clotting ability of the blood and therefore help to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels. These medicines are sometimes called blood thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They also will not dissolve clots that already have formed, but they may prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems. They are often used as treatment for certain blood vessel, heart, and lung conditions.
Indication of Dicumarol
Dicumarol is primarily indicated in conditions like Blood clot.
Contraindication of Dicumarol
Dicumarol is contraindicated in conditions like Hypersensitivity to the drug.
Side Effects of Dicumarol
The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Dicumarol are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Diarrhea, Confusion, Nausea and vomiting, Chest pain, Shortening of breath, Backache.
Precautions of Dicumarol
Harmful if swallowed. May cause eye and skin irritation. May cause respiratory tract irritation. May cause reproductive and fetal effects.