What is Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT
Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It commonly affects the leg veins, such as the femo...
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ALCOHOL INTERACTIONS WITH COUMADIN
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I thought this was a good article expalining the effects of alchol with coumadin use.
ALCOHOL INTERACTIONS WITH WARFARIN (Coumadin, Jantoven) Alcohol interacts with warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) to either raise or lower the INR depending upon how it is used. The best advice is to not drink alcohol while you are taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Since this is not practical for everyone, this discussion will let you know what your risks are. The easiest warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) patients to manage are those whose lives follow routines. Intermittent, occasional or binge drinking tends to raise the INR. This means that your body is acting as if you are taking more warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) than you really are. This increases your risk of having a rectal bleeding episode. Saving up all of the drinks you would have had for the week and having them all at a special occasion is one of the worst things you can do. A study of the use of alcohol in medications offers some insight as to how this works. The most common protein in the blood is albumin. Most of the warfarin that a person takes in a dose physically binds to albumin. The warfarin that is bound is then inactive. Alcohol appears to lower the amount of warfarin that is bound to albumin. The unbound warfarin is the part that has an effect on the clotting factors. Therefore, the INR will increase because there is more warfarin working in the body. Daily moderate alcohol use (1 or 2 drinks - no more) has little effect on the INR. Whether or not it raises the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is an unanswered question. Some people's attitude is, "If I cannot have a glass of wine with dinner, then I won't take warfarin." Taking warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) in this case is probably better for you than not taking it. However, the important word is "probably". Whether or not this is true is not proven. Daily alcohol use of greater than three or more drinks will result in the possibility of several thing happening. First, the enzymes that metabolize the warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) can become more active. This means that the INR test will show that you are not taking enough warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven). Then your warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) dose will be increased. Should you suddenly stop drinking, the INR will shoot upward and increase your risk of bleeding. The other thing that might happen is that the alcohol will irritate the lining of your gastrointestinal tract. If this get some bleeding started, it can be very difficult to stop. Posted on 02/04/09, 12:02 pm |
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Thanks for the info Peaches, I figure at this rate, I am a lifer so, I gotta have something to drown my sorrows in, lol. So, I will watch my drinking, but I ain't givin up my glass (or glasses depending on my mood) of wine, lol 
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Here is some general comments from a leading researcher who is a friend of mine:
http://fvleiden.org/ask/76.html As with the issue with Vitamin K, moderation is okay, excessiveness or binging will be an INR rollercoaster. Of course, everyone metabolizes things differently too so this plays a part into how your INR will react also. Regards, Tom in Connecticut
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Interesting read. I decided to stay sober for the whole year and 6 months I was on the coumadin. It was a total downer and I hated going out to the bar or clubbing, but that tipsy feeling made me feel like I was bleeding or short of breath or various other symptoms. I don't think I'd have enjoyed myself if I did drink anyway, so I just steered clear.
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Since I only drink a couple of times a week and the amount can vary I have just quit drinking while on the warfarin. When servers give me the look of shock at me not drinking I just tell them "medication" and they are ok with that.
Better to be safe than sorry. My INR has already been hard to get right so what is one more step that I can have some control over. This disease has already changed enough things in my life, and I wish to be able to control it in the long run.
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So, if you don't drink, don't start, and if you do, don't stop! It always gets back to consistency and moderation, doesn't it. Always good rules to live by, no matter what. Where did this article come from Peaches?
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Laura Lu it was from the Warfin Intitue of America. Below is the link:
http://www.warfarinfo.com/alcohol.htm
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