What Foods Should You Avoid Eating When Taking Warfarin?

What Foods Should You Avoid Eating When Taking Warfarin?

Warfarin is a prescription drug used to prevent clots from developing in your blood, according to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. According to MayoClinic.com, foods and beverages containing large amounts of vitamin K can reduce the effectiveness of warfarin. The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University says that vitamin K helps the body to form blood clots and that patients on warfarin should consume only between 90 to 120 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K per day.

 

Green Leafy Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables, such as kale, collard greens, spinach, Swiss chard, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, parsley and watercress are foods that have high amounts of vitamin K and should be avoided if you are taking warfarin. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, 1 cup of chopped raw kale has 547 mcg of vitamin K, 1 cup of chopped cooked broccoli has 220 mcg of vitamin K and 1 cup of raw Swiss chard has 299 mcg of vitamin K. You should choose other vegetables that do not contain large amounts of vitamin K. Green tea also contains vitamin K and should be avoided, according to MayoClinic.com. You should talk with your doctor before making any major changes in your diet concurrent with taking warfarin, or if after you begin warfarin therapy you are unable to eat for a few days, or if you have an upset stomach, diarrhea or fever, according to MayoClinic.com.

Oils

Vitamin K is found in some oils, particularly soybean oil, canola oil and olive oil. According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, 1 tbsp. of soybean oil contains 25 mcg of vitamin K, canola oil contains 16.6 mcg of vitamin K, olive oil contains 8.1 mcg of vitamin K and mayonnaise contains 3.7 mcg of vitamin K. Since these oils are used in many prepared dishes and meals, it is best if you prepare your own salad dressing with other ingredients. Fish oil may also affect warfarin therapy. Research by Mitchell .S. Buckley published in the "Annals of Pharmacotherapy" in 2004 reported a case in which a 67-year-old woman taking warfarin doubled her intake of fish oil that consequently altered the effectiveness of warfarin.

Cranberry

Cranberry is a fruit that is eaten with salads or juiced for a delicious beverage. However, if you are taking warfarin, you should avoid eating cranberries, drinking cranberry juice or take cranberry herbal products, according to MayoClinic.com and Drugs.com. Research conducted by Jonathan Aston published in "Pharmacotherapy" in 2006 found after review and analysis of studies on the interaction between warfarin and cranberries, that ingestion of large volumes of cranberry juice destabilizes warfarin therapy. Moreover, the United Kingdom's Committee on Safety of Medicines alerted clinicians that cranberries potentiates warfarin, and that patients should avoid consuming both concurrently.

source : livestronge.com