What factors affect warfarin levels?

Warfarin is an anticoagulant drug that is used for thin thinning of blood. When using warfarin, the ingestion of some drugs, including several complementary treatments, and some foods, especially the high vitamins K, can affect its levels and either negate or increase its effect on thinning blood. For this reason, any main changes in the diet should be discussed with the doctor and adding any new drugs or changes in doses of current drugs. It is also used in patients with atrial fibrillation or irregular heart rhythm and in the case of postcardial surgery when prosthetic heart valves were inserted. Warfarin works by blocking vitamin K, one of the chemicals involved in a complex cascade clotting. Determination of the correct level of warfarin is a delicate process because its metabolism differs significant from person to man. This test should be performed regularly at the beginning of treatment until the required INR is obtained. It can then be done per month if there is no nEpirement effects or the accompanying treatment will not change.

Warfarin is subject to metabolism, including cytochrome enzymes in the liver. Many other drugs may cause these enzymes to cause or inhibit these enzymes, resulting in a change in warfarin metabolism and an increase or decrease in warfarin levels with the resulting bleeding or risk precipitation. The drug is also highly bound to plasma proteins. Other highly protein drugs can dispose of warfarin, increase its level and increase the risk of bleeding. Some medicines may have similar effects as increased bleeding that can be additive.

Any medicine, whether topped with Warfarin, should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist with a doctor or pharmacist. Alcohol can also affect the liver, resulting in increased warfarin levels and should therefore prevent it. Commonly used medicines that can affect warfarin levels include non -steroidal anti -inflammatory (NSAID), such as aspirin, and some antibiotics. NSAIDs can be included in combination with other products such as colds and flu.

Some meals, especially meals high in iTamin K, can also affect warfarin levels. Extreme changes in the diet are not recommended in patients for warfarin, in particular a sudden increase or decrease in the amount of food containing vitamin K. These include, but are not limited to avocado, blackberries, broccoli, spinach and asparagus. Krusinka and garlic can also affect warfarin levels as well as smoking.