Vitamin K is an important nutrient that helps your blood clot normally to stop the bleeding when you are injured. Vitamin K is used to treat or prevent bleeding problems, osteoporosis, cancer, bruising and other conditions. But most of these uses are unproven and vitamin K can pose some risks, according to MedlinePlus. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin K.
Side Effects
Vitamin K causes few side effects when taken in the recommended dosage, but vitamin K injections do sometimes cause side effects including flushing in the face, numbness in the arms and legs, chest pain and shortness of breath, reports the American Cancer Society. There have also been reports of injectable vitamin K damaging red blood cells in some people.
Allergic Reactions
Some people can have an allergic reaction to a vitamin K injection that may cause an itchy bump at the injection site that can last a month or more and can sometimes cause scarring, according to the American Cancer Society. In severe cases, an allergic reaction can be life threatening and cause your body to shut down and go into shock. People who use vitamin K cream on the skin to treat bruising or scarring can sometimes develop an allergic rash.
Precautions
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, vitamin K can be passed to the baby through the placenta or through breast milk, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin K supplements if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you are on dialysis for kidney disease, or suffer from the metabolic condition glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, vitamin K can be harmful. If you have liver disease, vitamin K can actually worsen clotting problems caused by your condition, according to MedlinePlus. If you suffer from any of these conditions do not take vitamin K without first consulting your doctor.
Interactions
If you are taking a blood thinner like warfarin, do not take vitamin K without consulting your doctor first. Vitamin K can block the effects of your medication. You will also need to be careful about eating too many foods high in vitamin K, such as leafy greens. Vitamin K can also interact with other drugs and supplements in ways that can increase the risk of problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before combining vitamin K with antibiotics, phenytoin, coenzyme Q10, tiratricol, vitamin A and vitamin E.
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