Warfarin is a medicine that you take to prevent blood clots. It is often called a blood thinner. Doctors give warfarin (such as Coumadin) to reduce the risk of blood clots. You may be at risk for blood clots if you have atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis. Some other health problems may also put you at risk.
Warfarin slows the amount of time it takes for your blood to clot. It can cause bleeding problems. Even if you've been taking warfarin for a while, it's important to know how to take it safely.
Foods and other medicines can affect the way warfarin works. Some can make warfarin work too well. This can cause bleeding problems. And some can make it work poorly, so that it does not prevent blood clots very well.
You will need regular blood tests to check how long it takes for your blood to form a clot. This test is called a PT or prothrombin time test. The result of the test is called an INR level. Depending on the test results, your doctor or anticoagulation clinic may adjust your dose of warfarin.
These steps can help you take warfarin safely.
The test results tell your doctor whether your dose needs to be changed. Do not change your dose unless your doctor tells you to.
For example:
Many medicines can affect how warfarin works.
Smoking affects how the body uses medicine, and it increases the blood's clotting effects.
It can change how warfarin works. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day if you are a man, or 1 drink a day if you are a woman.
These are bracelets, pendants, or charms that let others know you take warfarin. You can buy them at most drugstores.
Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent getting pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you might be pregnant, call your doctor.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if:
Call your doctor now or seek medical care right away if:
Leafy green foods like kale, spinach, collards, brussels sprouts, and cabbage are high in vitamin K. Broccoli, cabbage, okra, black-eyed peas, and some lettuces are also sources of vitamin K.
Warfarin is a pill that you take regularly to help prevent blood clots or to keep a clot from getting bigger. Coumadin is the common brand name for warfarin.
To make sure that warfarin is effectively thinning your blood, it's important to eat about the same amount of vitamin K every day.
Here's why:
So warfarin and vitamin K work against each other in your body, and it's important to keep them in balance. That is why, when you take warfarin, it's important that you not suddenly eat a lot more or a lot less vitamin K-rich food than you usually do. If you do, your warfarin dose may need to be adjusted.
It's up to you to decide how much vitamin K you choose to eat. For example, if you already eat a lot of leafy green vegetables, that's fine. Just keep it about the same amount each day. And if you take a multivitamin that contains vitamin K, be sure to take it every day.
Check with your doctor before you make big changes in what you eat, such as starting a diet to lose weight. And if you want to start eating more of a food that's rich in vitamin K, talk to your doctor about how to add it safely.
Also check with your doctor before you add or change any supplements or herbal products. Some of these may contain vitamin K. If you already take a product that contains vitamin K, don't stop taking it without talking with your doctor first.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
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