Anticoagulant drugs prevent thromboembolic disorders. How does warfarin, one of the anticoagulant drugs, act on the body?

Warfarin acts as anticoagulant by inhibiting the Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex. Thus, the vitamin K dependent coagulation factors are not produced and blood coagulation does not occur.

Explanation:

Blood clotting occurs when platelets stick to injured walls of broken capillaries and form a plug by the activity of fibrin protein.

The formation of fibrin is triggered by an enzyme called Thrombin formed from prothrombin.

The prothrombin and other coagulation factor production is greatrly dependent on Vitamin K oxidation which is carried out by the Vitamin K epoxide reductase enzyme complex. If the activity of this enzyme complex is inhibited the body will not utilize the vitamin K efficiently and coagulation factor will not be produced.

Warfarin is an anticoagulant drug whose mechanism is to inhibit Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex.