Why to Use Coumadin and Its Interactions

The good news announced by Drs. Keith Roach and Paul Donohue is that people who use a drug called Coumadin do not need to follow a strict diet.

D.H.: “I am 60 years old, and I am a female. Doctors prescribed me to take Coumadin on a regular basis because I suffer from intermittent atrial fibrillation. Is it really needed to keep using this medication for the entire life? It is impossible to eat normal food as it interferes with this type of medication. Is there another drug that can control blood clotting effectively without all these diet restrictions?”

Drs. Keith Roach and Paul Donohue: “First of all, it is necessary to clear up all the aspects involved in this Coumadin diet. This is an effective anticoagulant that is an effective blood clot preventer and blood thinner. Those patients who have atrial fibrillation usually form clots in their atria, which concerns upper heart chambers. That’s why they should take some anticoagulants on a regular basis to stop these clots from developing. This formation may cause a stroke. So, it is highly recommended to use such drugs as Coumadin. People should keep in mind that they may not be aware that they have this type of medical condition. Just as many patients who have recurrent attacks didn’t know that they had this problem. This can be proven only when these individuals wear a special heart monitor.

In essence, Coumadin works by decreasing a level of clotting proteins in one’s body. But vitamin K can increase this production and existing clotting factors. When someone who is faced with this risk and uses this medication eats some products that contain vitamin K, this person overcomes the action of Coumadin to prevent clots from developing. It is highly recommended to avoid such foods as spinach, collards, broccoli, turnip greens, salad greens, and so on. Of course, it is possible to eat only a reasonable amount, but not too much.

People must be consistent in their daily usage of these products. Their regular blood tests can determine how think their blood is. And they can prove whether these patients eat too much of vitamin K. In addition, there are some other medications that have the same effects as Coumadin. People can use Praxada, but it is more expensive in the long run. However, there are many law suits that inform about serious bleeding stemming causes by the usage of Praxada.”