donna22330

[donna22330]

I WOULD LKE TO KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM WHEN I AM ON CUMADIN.  NO ONE TOLD  ME WHAT I SHULD STAY AWAY FROM AS FOODS OR HERBALS OR DRINKS.  CAN YOU TELL ME?

THANK YPOU

[maggiemag]

It is not true that one has to avoid all foods with Vit. K in them.   Like the physician stated, the important thing is to eat them REGULARLY so it is a constant stable level.  For instance, if you love spinach, then go ahead and eat it twice a week if you like, but then keep it up twice a week.  It can be a pain but you can adjust.  Certain meds must always be avoided like NSAIDS, like Ibuprofen which is the same as Advil, Naproxen etc., Aspirin unless prescribed by your physician, Pepto bismal.  I found that going on antibiotics really screwed up my INR.  Black licorice raised it, don't know about red licorice.  Herbal tea is not allowed.

[Darcy Green Conaway, MD]

The only comment I would add is that you do eat or drink the above mentioned items, it should be done regularly so that you don't have ups and downs in your level of blood thinning. Another big issue is medications that interact with coumadin...and there are many.

[CrohnieToo]

A related discussion, Right Heart Catherization was started.

[donna22330]

Thank you very much for the information they didn't tell me about this.  The hospital where I am tested  they told me to eat spinach and brussel sprouts I guess I should not listen to them huh!
Thanks again for the information its good to have a sight like this.

[heartofgld]

I am quite surprised that a physician would prescribe this medication to you without talking to you about the things that you should avoid. It is the foods with Vitamin K that are improtant to avoid,
Vitamin K decreases the effects of Coumadin. Large amounts of vitamin K are found in foods such as liver, broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, Swiss chard, coriander, collards, cabbage, and other green leafy vegetables. Do not change the amount of these foods in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Avoid eating cranberries, drinking cranberry juice, or taking cranberry herbal products.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of this medication.
Avoid smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco. Tobacco can alter the effects of Coumadin and cause problems with your therapy.

I hope this helps ;)