If your doctor suggests using Coumadin, discuss all other medications and supplements you take with him before filling your prescription. Make sure to mention any vitamins or vitamin therapy as well, such as vitamin B3, which contains niacin and its amide, niacinamide. There is a possible drug interaction between this vitamin and Coumadin.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is used to treat diabetes and the skin conditions bullous pemphigoid and granuloma annulare. Niacin or niacinamide also are used to prevent vitamin B3 deficiency and resulting conditions including pellagra. Each of these vitamin B3 forms also is used for hallucinations due to drugs, fluid collection in your body, depression, motion sickness, alcohol dependence, Alzheimer’s disease, chronic brain syndrome, age-related loss of thinking skills and schizophrenia. They also are used for improving digestion, acne, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, arthritis, memory loss, preventing premenstrual headaches, improving circulation, promoting relaxation, reducing the effects of aging, protecting against toxins and pollutants, lowering blood pressure, improving orgasm and preventing cataracts.
Coumadin
Coumadin is the brand name for warfarin, an anticoagulant, or blood-thinning medication. It reduces risk of blood clots in your body by blocking formation of certain clotting factors. This medication is prescribed to prevent strokes, heart attacks and blood clots in your arteries and veins.
Interaction Risk
Niacin and niacinamide may raise your risk for bleeding or bruising when used in conjunction with anticoagulants such as Coumadin. There are case reports of people developing reversible abnormal blood-clotting conditions or low blood platelet number with this vitamin. Consult a doctor before combining this vitamin with Coumadin.
Additional Risk Factors
Risk for increased bleeding while taking Coumadin is raised if you have certain health conditions, according to Drugs.com. These include kidney disease, high blood pressure, severe heart disease, a history of bleeding problems, a surgery, a medical emergency, are 65 or older, a disease that affects the blood vessels in your brain or a history of intestinal or stomach bleeding.
References
- InteliHealth.com; Niacin (Vitamin B-3), Niacinamide; July 2005
- Koman.org; Niacin; 2011
- “The AARP Guide to Pills”; Maryanne Hochadel; 2006
- Drugs.com; Coumadin; September 2011
- PubMed Health; Warfarin; September 2008
- MedlinePlus; Niacin and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3); July 2011
- MayoClnic.com; Niacin (Vitamin B3, Nicotinic Acid), Niacinamide; August 2011
