Warfarin

Hi Christine,I've been permanently on Warfarin since 1997.Although I very rarely drink anything now,I find that so much affects my INR level.I've only found out in recent years that I should never have grapefruit or cranberries.Other medications I have to take also affect it.Painkiller choice is very limited,anti-inflammatories a no-no,and even things like Deep Heat rub-on cream affects it.Even when buying over the counter things,I give my repeat prescription list to the pharmacist to check if anything interacts.I take Warfarin because I've had 3 DVTs,have a metal filter in my Inferior Vena Cava to stop movement of clots to vital organs,and because I now know I'm positive for Factor V Leiden mutation,making me more prone to blood clots.

Hello Christine , Alcohol increases your INR count so you have an increased risk of bleeding. As with so many other interactions , if taken regularly  in moderation this is not a problem but if you suddenly go binge drinking then your INR will show a marked increase.

I've enjoyed half a bottle of wine each night. No problems. Consistency seems to be key.

I'm a 32 yr old woman who likes to socialise, and has been on warfarin for 6 months..

At first I was scared to drink but I have a friend who is a doctor who advised me. 

Yes - alcohol thins your blood - so that + warfarin = thinner blood

Yes - when drinking or drunk, you are more prone to accidents, therefore it's not the best idea

Yes - I went out on a wednesday night, had a fair bit of wine, and had my INR the next day and it had sky-rocketed. Sheepishly I admitted my actions to the docs!

No - I do not want warfarin to change my lifestyle - my doctors and I have discussed that I drink at weekends - the binging has definitely stopped but I go over 2 units...Maybe 3-4 glasses of wine... I have been stable with my INR for a while, taking a larger dose in the week, and a lesser dose at the weekends - BUT this has come from my doctor - in no way should anyone self medicate. 

But it is worth discussing that option with your docs to see if it is suited to you. 

I repeat - please do not make this decision by yourself - always discuss with your doctor first, we are all very much individual cases. What works for some, might not work for others. 

 

I was on Warfarin, from age 12 yrs of age. And the doctors was saying "Do Not Drink Alcohol" with this medicine. It will calls more problems.

As my father could not be stabilised on warfarin I asked my doctor for an alternative and he gave me rivaroxiban instead. It does not react with anything and it does not need monitoring. The reason they don't give you Rivaroxiban is because it costs a lot more than warfarin.

I was prescibed it because I had lots of Atrial Fibrillation but since I found out that caffine causes AF and stopped taking anything with caffine my AF has gone and I no longer need the Rivaroxiban

Christine old thing, just read your concern and replies-plus yours.  Easy way is to stay away from alcohol full stop, if you persist in drinking then why take the medication and waste the time of those trying to help you. Take only the prescribed limit of 3 units and live to see many more days and years or continue to play the Russian Roulette game until you get caught out. As for your worry about bleeding out its minimal if you just follow the rules----if you drink more than allowed or recommended you pass sentence on yourself so think hard but not long on your path. Drink tea and enjoy-stop worrying we do not have the time for that-- you-- me-- and the rest of us. Hope to keep on reading your news for years to come. 

Agree wholeheartedly with Reg . Play by the rules or you may not have the luxury of choice later . No deals , no kidding yourself . So now go on and enjoy yourself without excess alcohol , after all , our hunter - gatherer predecessors managed without it !!