What foods to avoid on warfarin?

Answer 1

Warfarin is a blood-thinning medication that helps treat and prevent blood clots.

It's important to watch what you eat while taking Warfarin.  Vitamin K can lessen warfarin's effectiveness. It's important to be consistent in how much vitamin K you take in per day. The average daily allowance of vitamin K for adult men is about 120 micrograms (mcg) and for adult women it's about 90 mcg.

While eating small amounts of foods that are rich in vitamin K shouldn't cause a problem, avoid eating or drinking large amounts of: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Spinach, Parsley, Green tea, Mustard greens, and Chard

Avoid alcohol and cranberry juice as they  can increase the effect of warfarin, leading to bleeding problems.

Make sure you discuss with your doctor before making any major changes in your diet, or before starting any other  medications including over the counter medications, vitamins or herbal supplements.

If you experience ongoing stomach upset, diarrhea or fever, or are unable to eat for several days consult your doctor as these  may be a sign you need to adjust your  warfarin dosage.

Answer 2

Warfarin is an anti-clotting drug (a blood thinner). Foods that contain significant amounts of vitamin K (vitamin K plays a key role in blood clotting) may promote clotting and therefore reduce the effectiveness of warfarin.

Foods very high in vitamin K include:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Brussels sprouts
- Parsley
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Chard
- Green tea

Small amounts of such foods shouldn't be a problem whereas large intake may reduce the effectiveness of warfarin. Keep in mind that vitamin & herbal supplements containing significant amounts of vitamin K may have a similar effect.

On the other hand, certain drinks, particularly cranberry juice and alcohol may have an opposite effect, i.e. increase the activity of warfarin.

When making changes to your diet that might modify the effects of warfarin, make sure to discuss it with you doctor who, among other things, may want to monitor you blood clotting activity more tightly.