warfarin

[peteryoung]

I take warfarinfor af, inr 2.0 to 3.0 i am trying to find out which foods affect inr, I have looked at several sites and all list various foods, but i cannot find a list of which ones lower and which ones higher inr, anyone help,
just looked at answers to constipated problem, some great suggestions, !!!!

[madmaggot]

My OH is on Warfarin. When we went on holiday for a fortnight on all inclusive he was eating a full fried breakfast every day which he wouldn't do at home. He also had about 2-3 pints a day which is also unusual.
When he went to the anti-coag clinic on our return his blood had gone from 2.6 to 1.3 (thicker).
Foods with Vit K, (green, leafy, vegetables) tend to thin the blood. He was told to avoid cranberry juice as well.

[ACtheTROLL]

it's not that black and white - some "disturb" the effects, causing a "bounce" - some make more slippy - garlic, cranberry some stickier - liver broccoli
just eating or drinking more or less can throw you out

I think the point is ... any disturbance is bad ... too sticky - you have a clot - too slippy - you have a bleed either way it's a stroke or similar
I just stay clear of all the foods that affect it

the odd drink or whatever is worth the risk ;-)

[madmaggot]

Just found this site that list foods rich in Vit K.

http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/food/vitamin-k -foods.htm

[peteryoung]

thanks
the vit k list is good but what foods make inr higher, as youve said just avoid foods that do, but what foods are they?,itry to keep regular diet,and dont binge drink,but inr was 3-2 this time, ususally about 2.6, dont recall eating anything different. but something sent it up

[madmaggot]

A higher result is thinner, it is the time that it takes for your blood to clot. You should consult the anti-coag clinic who will know your case and advise you more effectively than anyone can on here.

[LazyGun]

Put very simply, warfarin acts to inhibit the Vitamin K - dependent clotting factors (Factors II, VII,IX and X mainly) produced within the body. The more warfarin, the greater the inhibition, the higher the INR (International Normalised Ratio).
So, any food or food group high in Vitamin K has the potential to interfere with the action of warfarin, thus lowering the INR.
Such foods might include ( this is not meant to be an exhaustive list, by the way) Spinach, Brussel Sprouts, Kale, Asparagus. Beef and Pork liver are high in Vitamin K also. Cranberry and I think Grapefruit juice have also been implicated. This does not mean, by the way, that if you are on warfarin you have to avoid these foods entirely - just don't overdo them :)
Vitamin K is synthesised within the body in the gut by naturally occuring bacteria - So a course of some antibiotics has the potential to interact with your warfarin therapy, further reducing the Vitamin K within the body, and therefore potentially elevating the INR.

You also need to be aware of various commonly prescribed drugs and their interactions with warfarin - such as ( for women of child bearing age) oral contraceptives,carbamazepine, ( reduce the effects of warfarin), and aspirin, paracetamol, glucosamine ( all likely to increase the effects of warfarin)

A special class of its own is reserved for alcohol. The most common reason for unexpectedly high INRs is overconsumption of alcohol. The second most common is overconsumption of aspirin or paracetamol based painkillers.

I would strongly advise you to talk with either your GP or the practice nurse who I am sure would be only to happy to advise you much more comprehensively that we can do here.

[peteryoung]

thanks again ,all this information has helped a lot so i can keep an eye on what i eat, and try not to have too much wine.