Final answer:
Heparin and warfarin (Coumadin) are anticoagulants with antidotes being protamine sulfate for heparin and vitamin K for warfarin. Pharmacogenomics can assist in patient-specific dosage to prevent overdose.
Step-by-step explanation:
An anticoagulant is any substance that opposes coagulation. The most commonly used anticoagulants in clinical settings are heparin and warfarin (Coumadin). Heparin acts as a short-acting anticoagulant stored in mast cells and released when tissues are injured, and it opposes the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. As such, it opposes coagulation. Heparin sulfate is also a component of the plasma membrane and acts as receptor involved in cell adhesion and cell-to-cell interactions. The antidote for heparin is protamine sulfate, which can quickly reverse the effects of heparin overdose.
On the other hand, Coumadin (warfarin) functions as a long-term anticoagulant often given to prevent excessive blood clotting in conditions such as stroke or heart attack. Warfarin's antidotal treatment is vitamin K, which can be administered to counteract an overdose and correct hypoprothrombinemia. It is important to be aware of pharmacogenomics, which can assist patients by predicting responses to warfarin based on their genetic makeup, thus potentially reducing the risk of overdose.
Anticoagulants like heparin and Coumadin have specific antidotes—protamine sulfate and vitamin K, respectively—used to reverse their anticoagulant effects in cases of overdose or in preparation for surgical procedures.