Vitamin K is found in leafy greens and other plant foods and plays an important role in normal blood clotting to stop bleeding. Vitamin K deficiency is rare so most people do not need supplements, but the vitamin is sometimes used medicinally to treat bleeding problems and other conditions. Though side effects are rare, vitamin K can pose risks to certain vulnerable people. Talk to your doctor before taking vitamin K supplements.
Side Effects
If you are using a vitamin K cream on the skin to treat spider veins, bruises, scars or other skin conditions, there is a small risk of developing an allergic rash. If you are given a vitamin K injection to treat a medical problem, there is a risk of an allergic reaction that causes an itchy bump at the injection site. Rarely, a severe allergic reaction occurs, which can cause shock and even death if untreated. Other side effects of vitamin K injections include flushing, numbness in the arms and legs, chest pain, breathing problems and damage to red blood cells.
Pregnancy and Nursing
The vitamin K you take in normally from food is thought to be safe during pregnancy. But you should avoid vitamin K supplements if you are pregnant or nursing, unless you have cleared it with your doctor. The safety of higher doses of vitamin K is not known. Vitamin K does cross the placenta and is present in breast milk. However, there is an exception. If you are taking anti-seizure medications while pregnant, your baby faces an increased risk of bleeding problems.Thus, your doctor may give you vitamin K supplements in the last month of your pregnancy to lower your newborn's risk of bleeding.
Warnings
Vitamin K can worsen the blood clotting problems that people with liver disease sometimes have. If you have liver disease, do not take vitamin K without consulting your doctor first. If you are undergoing dialysis for kidney disease, you should not take vitamin K without discussing it with your doctor as too much of the vitamin may cause problems. People with the genetic blood disorder glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or G6PD, deficiency should also avoid vitamin K as it may worsen the problem.
Interactions
If you are taking a blood thinner like warfarin or heparin, do not take vitamin K, as it will impair the effectiveness of your medication, thereby increasing your risk of dangerous blood clots. There may also be an increased risk of bleeding or blood clotting problems if you combine vitamin K with coenzyme Q-10, tiratricol, vitamin A and vitamin E. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking vitamin K if you are also taking any of these supplements or drugs.
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