Warfarin is a type of medicine known as an anticoagulant. It helps to lower the risk of blood clots forming. Blood clots can cause serious health problems when they block blood vessels in brain, lungs, heart valves or legs. Warfarin can be prescribed for one of the following reasons: 1. Prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) 2. Prevention of blood clots for patients who have had recent hip or knee replacement 3. Treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and prevention of recurrent DVT 4. Treatment of pulmonary embolism (PE) and prevention of recurrent PE PE is a blockage in blood flow when a blood clots from a vein breaks off and travels to the lungs. 5. Prevention of heart attack, stroke and death in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and/or peripheral artery disease (PAD) or patients who have replacement heart valves If you don’t take enough warfarin, you are at risk of blood clots, but if you take too much, you are at risk of uncontrolled or serious bleeding. As you start taking warfarin, your blood may not be at the right thickness level, which is between 2 and 3 INR. My blood was too thick and I need three warfarin injections to help to bring it on the right thickness level. It may fluctuate in the beginning and your doctor has to check your blood frequently until your INR level stays constant. Warfarin tablets come in 2 different brands: Marevan: 1 mg. 3 mg and 5 mg, and Coumadin: 1 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg. It is important to stick with he same band and to take your tablets every day on the same time, preferable with your evening meal. You still need regular blood test, as your INR level may change caused by the kind of food you eat. Unfortunately, some healthy food products interfere with warfarin, for example foods high in vitamin K, for example green leafy vegetables like broccoli, spinach, cabbage and lettuce, also avocados, olive oil, chickpeas, liver, egg yolks, whole grain cereal and mature cheese. Also curcumin and acetyl-l-carnitine. But don’t avoid foods high in vitamin K as you need them for a healthy diet. Try to find a compromise for this matter. Keep everything in moderation, than you should be save. Alcohol can affect the way warfarin works. Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol you can take.
