Over the Counter Medications and Herbal Supplements
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that slows blood clotting and is used to prevent and treat people with blood clots in the veins (venous thrombosis) and blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Warfarin is also used to treat or prevent dangerous blood clotting in people with atrial fibrillation (an irregularity in heart beat) and in some cases, to prevent strokes.
Since warfarin increases the risk of bleeding, please take a look at over-the-counter medications before you take them.
- Avoid these supplements when taking warfarin since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity of warfarin in the body.
- Coenzyme Q10
- Green tea ( may ↓ INR)
- St. John’s Wort
- Vitamin C/Zinc/Iron/Magnesium (consult with your pharmacist)
- Avoid these supplements when taking warfarin because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.
- Asian ginseng (↑ risk of bleeding, ↓ platelet function)
- Devil’s claw
- Dong quai (↓ platelet function)
- Fenugreek
- Garlic (↑ risk of bleeding, ↓ platelet function)
- Ginger (↑ risk of bleeding, ↓ platelet function)
- Gingko biloba (↓ platelet function)
- Horse chestnut
- Quinine (↑ risk of bleeding)
- Red clover
- Vitamin K (↓ INR)
- Dan Shen
- Sweet Clover
- Sweet Woodruff
- Before taking any of these supplements, please consult with the pharmacist about potential interaction:
- Olestra
- Soy products (may ↑ INR)
- Vitamin C (if taken in excess, may ↓ INR)
- Vitamin E (if taken in excess, may ↓ INR)
- Alcohol
Please take Tylenol ® /acetaminophen (not to exceed 4 grams per day) for your occasional pain/headache.
Please consult with your physician if you need increased pain relief. If you have underlying liver dysfunction, you Tylenol/acetaminophen intake should not exceed 2 grams per day.
This is not a complete list of products containing ingredients that can interact with Coumadin ® (warfarin). Please check the active ingredients of combination cold and pain relief products since these medications often contain aspirin or ibuprofen.
If you have any questions regarding any medications that you are taking, please call:
(650) 725-4932.