Blood, Rats and Anticoagulants: The Story of Warfarin
The history of Warfarin is a surprisingly bloody one. Find out how this anticoagulant drug went from cow-killer to life-saver in this Nature Video animation.
This video was reproduced with permission and was first published on March 13, 2018. It is a Nature Video production.
By Nature Video
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The history of Warfarin, one of the earliest anticoagulant drugs, is littered with the bodies of sick cows and poisoned rats. This animation tells the story of how a bloody beginning gave rise to a life-saving medication.
Find out more about the history of anticoagulant drugs in this interactive timeline.
This Nature Video is editorially independent. It is produced with third party financial support. Read more about Supported Content here.
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