Coumadin, or warfarin, is a medication your doctor may prescribe to increase the time it takes your blood to clot. It is a powerful drug. Too little or too much can be dangerous. Certain foods and medications, especially those containing vitamin K, can affect the way the drug works. Your doctor will monitor your health status closely while you are taking Coumadin. To help assure your safety, you should also be aware of possible side effects and interactions.
Why Take Coumadin
Coumadin is classified as an anti-coagulant, or blood thinner. It is prescribed if you have a blood clot in or near the heart, lungs or vessels in other parts of the body such as the legs. It works by controlling how fast blood clots. In addition, it prevents clots from forming and keeps existing clots from getting bigger or breaking off and traveling to other parts of the body.
Side Effects
While on Coumadin, you are at a high risk for bleeding. Side effects that require immediate attention include uncontrollable bleeding from a cut, gums, nose or ears; vomiting or coughing up blood; or bleeding from the rectum. Swelling in the face, hands, legs and other parts of the body, as well as purplish spots under the skin and bruising that occurs without an identifiable cause, should also be reported immediately. Other side effects include fatigue, pale skin, changes in taste and hair loss.
Foods
You need vitamin K for normal blood clotting. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin K can reverse the effects of Coumadin. According to HealthAliciousNess.com, a site that compares nutrition values based on the USDA National Nutrient Database, the top foods high in vitamin K are herbs like basil, sage and thyme; dark green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach and collards; spring onions; Brussels sprouts; broccoli; spices such as chili powder, curry, paprika and cayenne pepper; asparagus; cabbage; pickled cucumber; and prunes.
Medications and Supplements
Medications and supplements that contain vitamins K or E can interact with Coumadin. Some of these medications include acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, cold and cough medications, antacids, laxatives, birth control pills, and other blood-thinning medications like heparin. Herbal supplements that can affect the way Coumadin works include garlic, ginger, gingko biloba, ginseng, fish oil, turmeric, St. John's wort and chondroitin sulfate.
Considerations
Your doctor will monitor you very closely while you are on Coumadin therapy. You should not skip a dose, double up on doses or stop taking the medication if you have not been advised by your doctor to do so. According to the Cleveland Clinic, you should be consistent from week to week in the amount of foods containing vitamin K you eat and consult your doctor before taking any new medications or supplements. Your doctor will adjust your Coumadin dosage to ensure the medication works as intended. By following your doctor's instructions and communicating changes as soon as they occur, you can decrease the risk of developing complications associated with Coumadin therapy.
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