CONDITION REFERENCE
Warfarin resistance
Information from MedlinePlus Genetics about this condition and how it can be inherited.
About this condition
Warfarin resistance is a condition in which individuals have a high tolerance for the drug warfarin. Warfarin is an anticoagulant, which means that it thins the blood, preventing blood clots from forming. Warfarin is often prescribed to prevent blood clots in people with heart valve disease who have replacement heart valves, people with an irregular heart beat (atrial fibrillation), or those with a history of heart attack, stroke, or a prior blood clot in the deep veins of the arms or legs (deep vein thrombosis).
There are two types of warfarin resistance: incomplete and complete. Those with incomplete warfarin resistance can achieve the benefits of warfarin treatment with a high dose of warfarin. Individuals with complete warfarin resistance do not respond to warfarin treatment, no matter how high the dose. If people with warfarin resistance require anticoagulant therapy and take the average warfarin dose, they will remain at risk of developing a potentially harmful blood clot.
Both types of warfarin resistance are related to how the body processes warfarin. In some people with warfarin resistance, their blood-clotting process does not react effectively to the drug. Others rapidly break down (metabolize) warfarin, so the medication is quickly processed by their bodies; these individuals are classified as "fast metabolizers" or "rapid metabolizers" of warfarin. The severity of these abnormal processes determines whether the warfarin resistance is complete or incomplete.
Warfarin resistance does not appear to cause any health problems other than those associated with warfarin drug treatment.
Inheritance
- Autosomal dominant
A condition can have several forms with different inheritance patterns. Each pattern may apply to a different gene or form of the condition.
Related genes
MedlinePlus lists these genes for this condition. Open a gene page to read any available ClinGen reviews and ClinVar records.
YOUR DNA FILE
What can your DNA file tell you?
Your DNA file only includes the positions your test checked and reported. Consumer DNA kits usually test selected positions. Sequencing files can also leave out positions that were not reported or where the test could not give a result.
A variant missing from your file does not mean you tested negative for it. A ClinVar classification applies to a particular variant and the condition or finding it was reported for. It does not apply to everyone with that gene. An uncertain finding cannot establish a diagnosis.
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Sources and dates
The source information on this page last changed on 2026-09-18.
MedlinePlus Source details
Source release: Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:17:13 GMT
Source publication: 2024-09-19
Source review: 2015-07
SHA-256: fdc8bd614310c12718379cef6569962e5d0e791cecabcc355b53a72816ac263a
About the library sources · Latest validated release · Record 85ddbae7bb4e