Following a heart attack or stroke, your doctor may prescribe the anticoagulant medication, Coumadin, to decrease your chances of suffering another event. Coumadin helps prevent blood clots from forming and it is also used to treat phlebitis, or blood clots in your leg. Certain medications and dietary supplements, including garlic and cranberry, can increase the action of Coumadin. Alcoholic beverages may also interfere with this medication. Talk to your doctor about any medications and supplements to avoid while taking Coumadin.
Coumadin
Coumadin is used to prevent heart attack, stroke and blood clots in your legs, especially if you have already suffered one such event. Coumadin is a brand-name version of the powerful generic anticoagulant medication warfarin. It is often referred to as a "blood thinner, but it doesn't actually thin your blood; it prevents your blood from forming harmful clots inside your arteries and veins. Coudamin decreases the amount of blood clotting factors in order to prevent your blood from clotting. One of the risks while taking Coumadin is excessive bleeding, so check with your physician about their safety before taking other medications or herbal supplements.
Coumadin and Alcohol
Only drink alcoholic beverages in moderation, whether you are taking Coumadin or not. Get your own doctor's advice, but EMedTV says having one drink per day should not negatively affect this medication. However, drinking any more than one drink per day or going on a "binge" and drinking a substantial amount of alcohol at one time while on Coumadin can significantly increase your risk of internal bleeding. On the other hand, chronic alcoholism can actually make Coumadin less effective, leading to an increased chance of having a blood clot form. Overall, it's probably best not to mix Coumadin with any type of alcoholic beverages.
Coumadin and Cranberry
Cranberry juice and supplements, when taken in sufficient quantity, appear to be beneficial in preventing the recurrence of a urinary tract infection, or UTI, and eradicating Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria responsible for many stomach ulcers. However, you may not be able to take cranberry if you are also taking Coumadin. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, compounds in cranberry appear to enhance the effects of Coumadin and increase your risk of bleeding. Don't take cranberry while on Coumadin therapy without first discussing it with your physician.
Coumadin and Garlic
The garlic plant has been used as a food flavoring and an herbal medicine for thousands of years. Garlic appears to be effective in lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure, and is also used to prevent some cancers, such as stomach cancer. Substances found in garlic also appear to inhibit the aggregation, or clumping together, of platelets, by making them more slippery and slowing the time it takes for your blood to clot. If you are taking Coumadin to decrease blood clotting, ask your health care provider before using garlic as an herbal supplement.
