Factors that can affect your INR results
Maintaining a steady and safe INR is reliant on two things. Firstly and most importantly, you need to ensure you take the required dosage of anticoagulant every day, preferably at the same time each day. Secondly, these drugs work by reducing the amount of Vitamin K your body has to make blood coagulation factors, so anything you eat with large amounts of Vitamin K will influence your anticoagulant need and may require dosage adjustment accordingly.
These include:
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Kiwi |
Some Mayonnaise Beef liver
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 |
Your doctor will advise you to eat these foods in moderation and consistently. If you make any major changes in your diet or start a weight loss plan please consult your doctor.
Alcohol
Alcohol can affect the performance of anticoagulants, but this does not mean that you must avoid all alcohol. Serious problems can occur with alcohol and Coumadin®(warfarin) when you drink more than 2-4 units a day or when you change your usual pattern. Binge drinking is not good for you. Be careful on special occasions or holidays, and drink only what you usually would on any regular day of the week.
Other Medications
Any product containing aspirin may lessen the ability of your blood to form clots and may harm you when you take Coumadin® (warfarin). If you take a daily aspirin, talk with your doctor about what dose is right for you. Other medicines you get over-the-counter may have aspirin in them. Your doctor must approve all your medications, including those medicines you have taken before you started Coumadin® (Warfarin).
