dietary interactions with warfarin

Introduction

Foods that contain significant amounts of vitamin K can interfere with the anticogulant effect of warfarin

• green leafy vegetables
• green tea
• soy

High-protein, low-carbohydrate diets such as Atkins & South Beach diet may lower INR via

• an increase albumin, which in turn binds warfarin
• enhancing warfarin metabolism

Cranberries contain flavonoids that may inhibit cyt P450 2C9 & warfarin metabolism, thus increasing warfarin's effect

Garlic has antiplatelet properties & may increase risk of bleeding in patients taking warfarin

Alcohol

• > 2 drinks/day can increase INR in most people
• chronic alcohol abuse tends to diminish INR

Grapefruit inhibits cyt P450 3A4 thus may inhibit warfarin metabolism

> 24 ounces of grapefruit juice daily may increase INR

More general terms

• nutrition