What is another name for Phenprocoumon? A guide to its brand and generic labels

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

Phenprocoumon, a vitamin K antagonist, is a standard oral anticoagulant used widely in many European countries. Given its different international usage and branding, many people wonder what is another name for Phenprocoumon and why identifying it correctly is crucial for patient safety and effective treatment.

Quick Summary

Phenprocoumon is a vitamin K antagonist known by several brand names, including Marcoumar, Marcumar, and Falithrom, primarily in Europe. Its chemical name is 4-hydroxy-3-(1-phenylpropyl)-2H-chromen-2-one. This long-acting blood thinner requires regular INR monitoring for safe use.

Key Points

Brand Name Recognition: Common brand names for phenprocoumon include Marcoumar, Marcumar, and Falithrom, especially in Europe.
Generic Identification: Knowing the generic name, phenprocoumon, is vital for international travel and communication with healthcare providers.
Chemical Label: The full chemical name is 4-hydroxy-3-(1-phenylpropyl)-2H-chromen-2-one.
Vitamin K Antagonist: Phenprocoumon is a blood thinner that inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase, a key enzyme in producing clotting factors.
Long Half-Life: It has a significantly longer half-life (approx. 150 hours) compared to warfarin (approx. 40 hours).
Importance of INR Monitoring: As with other VKAs, INR testing is necessary to monitor the medication's effectiveness and manage dosing.

What is Phenprocoumon?

Phenprocoumon is a synthetic anticoagulant medication that belongs to the class of vitamin K antagonists, derived from coumarin. It is a long-acting oral anticoagulant primarily used in many European countries, including Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands, for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders. While its mechanism of action is similar to the more widely known anticoagulant warfarin, phenprocoumon has a much longer half-life, which influences its dosing and monitoring. For medical professionals and patients alike, understanding the different names for this medication is essential to avoid confusion and ensure patient safety.

Common Brand Names for Phenprocoumon

Phenprocoumon is sold under various brand names depending on the country. The most common brand names associated with phenprocoumon include:

Marcoumar: Widely recognized in countries like Austria, Belgium, and Brazil, among others.
Marcumar: A prominent brand name used in Germany.
Falithrom: Another common brand, especially in Germany.
Liquamar: A brand name that was previously used in the US.

Chemical and Other Synonyms

Beyond its commercial brand names, phenprocoumon is also identified by several chemical and other scientific synonyms. These identifiers are frequently used in research, clinical documentation, and drug databases:

4-hydroxy-3-(1-phenylpropyl)-2H-chromen-2-one: The IUPAC chemical name.
Fenprocumone: A synonym used in some contexts.
Phenprocoumarol: Another related chemical term.
3-(alpha-Ethylbenzyl)-4-hydroxycoumarin: A descriptive chemical name.
Ro 1-4849: An early development code for the compound.

The Importance of Knowing All Names

For patients and healthcare providers, knowing all possible names for phenprocoumon is critical for several reasons:

Travel and International Care: A patient from Germany traveling to another country may need to explain their medication to a new doctor, who might not recognize the brand name Marcumar. Knowing the generic name, phenprocoumon, ensures continuity of care.
Medication Safety: Incorrectly identifying a medication can lead to dangerous errors, such as a patient taking multiple different brands of the same drug or receiving the wrong medication entirely. Always confirm the active ingredient to prevent confusion.
Effective Communication: In multilingual clinical settings, using the generic name helps ensure clear and unambiguous communication about the medication being discussed or prescribed.

Comparison Table: Phenprocoumon vs. Warfarin

Both phenprocoumon and warfarin are vitamin K antagonists that require careful monitoring. However, there are significant differences between them.


Feature	Phenprocoumon	Warfarin
Primary Region of Use	Primarily European countries (Germany, Austria)	Primarily United States, also widely used internationally
Average Half-Life	Long, approximately 150 hours	Shorter, approximately 40 hours
Onset of Action	Slow, full effect takes 4 to 6 days	Slow, compared to newer anticoagulants
Primary Metabolic Enzyme	Primarily CYP3A4	Primarily CYP2C9
Pharmacokinetic Stability	Prolonged and uniform action	Shorter, with potentially greater individual variation

Other Anticoagulation Alternatives

With the development of new medications, other alternatives to traditional vitamin K antagonists are now available. These newer agents are sometimes preferred due to their more predictable effects and lack of need for routine monitoring.

Here are some examples of different anticoagulant classes:

Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs): This class includes direct factor Xa inhibitors like rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and apixaban (Eliquis), and direct thrombin inhibitors like dabigatran (Pradaxa). They offer a faster onset and offset of action and a wider therapeutic window compared to phenprocoumon.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins (LMWHs): These medications, like enoxaparin (Lovenox), are administered via injection and have a rapid onset of action. They are often used for short-term anticoagulation or as a bridge to oral therapy.
Heparin: An injectable anticoagulant used primarily in a hospital setting for immediate anticoagulation.

Conclusion

While the name phenprocoumon might not be as universally recognized as warfarin, it is a crucial and widely used long-acting oral anticoagulant in many parts of the world, particularly in Europe. Understanding its various brand names, including Marcoumar, Marcumar, and Falithrom, as well as its chemical identity, is essential for patient safety, proper medication management, and seamless international travel. Its distinct pharmacokinetic profile, especially its longer half-life, sets it apart from other anticoagulants like warfarin, and this understanding allows both patients and healthcare providers to make informed decisions regarding its use.

For more detailed pharmacologic information, you can consult databases like DrugBank or Reactome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Phenprocoumon is used for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disorders, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and blood clot prevention in conditions like atrial fibrillation.

Phenprocoumon is generally not available in the United States, as warfarin is the more common oral anticoagulant used there.

As a vitamin K antagonist, phenprocoumon works by inhibiting the enzyme vitamin K epoxide reductase. This blockage prevents the synthesis of several key clotting factors in the liver, thus thinning the blood.

Some of the common brand names for phenprocoumon are Marcoumar, Marcumar, and Falithrom, all primarily used in European countries.

The most common and significant adverse effect of phenprocoumon is bleeding, ranging from minor bruising to more serious internal hemorrhages. Regular INR monitoring helps manage this risk.

While both are vitamin K antagonists, phenprocoumon has a much longer half-life (approx. 150 hours vs. 40 hours for warfarin), which leads to more stable blood levels but also requires different dosing and monitoring strategies.

Yes, similar to warfarin, the anticoagulant effect of phenprocoumon can be impacted by your intake of vitamin K. Foods high in vitamin K, such as leafy green vegetables, can reduce its effectiveness.