In a desperate attempt to lose weight, some individuals will resort to dangerous measures including using prescription medications not intended or approved to support weight loss. Coumadin, also known as warfarin, is a prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an anticoagulant for thinning blood. This drug is not approved as a weight loss aid, and clinical tests have not established the safety or effectiveness of using Coumadin as a weight loss drug. You should only take Coumadin as prescribed by a licensed physician.
Used as a Weight Loss Product
Although some individuals will use prescription medications for alternative purposes, it is extremely dangerous to use any drug including Coumadin to treat conditions without clinical trials that have verified the safety of the drug to treat the alternative medical condition. Since doctors will not typically prescribe medications including Coumadin for off-label uses, individuals taking Coumadin for weight-loss may resort to obtaining the drug illegally. This further compounds the danger of taking this drug, as purchasing this drug from an unlicensed pharmacy offers you no means of verifying the authenticity or quality of the Coumadin. The FDA, the product manufacturer and doctors have not recommended or approved Coumadin as a weight loss aid.
What is Coumadin?
Coumadin functions by causing your liver to decrease the amount of key proteins in your body that allow blood to clot. Originally, manufacturers produced Coumadin as a rodenticide to kill rats and mice. Doctors now prescribe this drug to patients who have heart problems, are at risk for stroke and have blocked blood vessels. When taking Coumadin you must take care with all foods, drinks, herbs, supplements and over-the-counter medications you take.
Precautions
The most serious side effect associated with Coumadin is a hemorrhage or internal bleeding. Additionally, this drug can damage your fetus and you should not take Coumadin if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Further, you should not take Coumadin if you have any bleeding disorder. Other medications including prescription medications, herbal remedies and over the counter medicines can react with Coumadin. You should inform your doctor of all medications you currently take before you start taking Coumadin. Additional side effects associated with this medication include intestinal bleeding, hepatitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and rash.
Foods to Avoid While on Coumadin
While taking Coumadin you must also take care not to consume certain foods. Foods high in vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of Coumadin. Alcohol and cranberry juice can increase the side effects of this drug. Additionally many herbs will interact with this drug and increase your risk of bleeding. While taking Coumadin, you should create a diet plan with your doctor that includes all of the foods you may eat. Do not deviate from this diet plan without first consulting your doctor.
References
- "The Coumadin Cookbook: A Guide to Healthy Meals When Taking Coumadin"; Rene, M.D. Desmarais, Greg Golden and Gail Beynon; 2003
- "Warfarin & You"; V.B Blake; 2010
- "The Coumadin (Warfarin) Help Book"; Ph. D. Diana M. Schneider; 2008
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