Warfarin sodium, generally referred to just as warfarin, is the generic name of a blood-thinning medication. Medications of this kind, also called anticoagulants, keep your blood flowing through your veins with clots. You may be prescribed warfarin if you have a history or high risk of heart disease or stroke. To ensure that your medication is working properly, you may need to avoid eating or drinking certain food items while taking warfarin.
Grapefruit
People who take blood-thinning drugs have traditionally been told to avoid eating lots of grapefruit or drinking large quantities of grapefruit juice. Anticoagulation resource PTINR.com explains that this citrus fruit can interact with anticoagulant drugs by hampering its metabolism by your body. However, a study written up in a 1998 issue of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy is contradictory to this theory. Researchers found that middle-aged men who took low doses of warfarin and drank 24 oz. of grapefruit juice daily for a week showed no change in their prothrombin times. Prothrombin time, or PT, is the measurement of how quickly your blood clots; warfarin and other blood-thinners can increase your PT. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure about whether or not grapefruit products are appropriate for you to eat during your warfarin therapy.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice can have the opposite effect of grapefruit products when you also take warfarin sodium; you may find that your medication works too well. Large quantities of cranberry juice can increase your PT to the extent that you could suffer from bleeding problems and a lack of clotting if you get a cut or sustain a bleeding skin wound. Avoid cranberry juice or drink very little of the tart juice when taking warfarin. Fresh or dried cranberries may produce the same effect; consult your doctor if you regularly enjoy this fruit.
Alcoholic Beverages
Your doctor may instruct you to avoid alcoholic beverages while using warfarin sodium. Alcohol can increase your risk of bleeding and can intensify side effects including bruising, blood in your urine, headache and dizziness.
Green Leafy Vegetables
Foods that are rich in vitamin K, such as leafy greens, do not mix well with anticoagulant medications, according to MayoClinic.com. The combination of vitamin K and the active ingredients in warfarin decreases the efficacy of the medication, which could be dangerous to you in the event that you develop a blood clot. Foods that contain vitamin K include spinach, collard and mustard greens, kale, parsley and Brussels sprouts. Two foods rich in vitamin K that are not leafy greens are liver and green tea.
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