coumadin and Vitamin E?

[MNmom]

I am thinking about taking a vitamin E supplement for scar healing- is there a known interaction with coumadin that anyone has heard of? Thanks

 

[catwoman]

I believe that vitamin E does affect anticoagulation, but can't remember in which direction.

Best to get familiar witih Al Lodwick's website, www.warfarinfo.com. He has a section with drug interactions. Al is a pharmacist (retired now), ran an anticoagulation clinic at a hospital in Colorado and now presents seminars on anticoagulation therapy for medical professionals around the country.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Most Pharmacies / Pharmacy Departments carry Vitamin E Oil or Ointment (cheaper) that can be rubbed over the scar. Be sure to check with your Surgeon (or Cardiologist) and Coumadin Manager, before using.

I 'believe' Vitamin E does have some anticoagulation effects so be careful and watch for any effects.

 

[azpam]

I would think if you are putting it ON the scar, there should not be a problem. That can be the synthetic vit.E and be ok. If you are taking it internally, be sure to get the natural Vit.E (look for the d- NOT the dl-). If you take the vit E, just be consistant about it and adjust your coumadin dose accordingly.

 

[CThrock]

I used vitamin E oil on my scar about 4 weeks after surgery and had no problems.. In fact I think it healed nicely with hardly any scaring.

 

[A New Beginning]

I was specifically told not to take vitamin E or fsh oil while on coumadin. The surgeon stated they thin out the blood and could cause issues with the inr levels

Aja

 

[terryj]

My husband is on coumadin and takes 2 fish oil pills everyday per his doctor. He also uses the vitamin E cream on his scars.

 

[perrypiratesdad]

I was specifically told not to take vitamin E or fsh oil while on coumadin. The surgeon stated they thin out the blood and could cause issues with the inr levels

Aja

I take high levels of fish oil every day for cholesterol. I know my INR changed a little when I started, but it was easily managed and as long as I take it consistently, I am fine. I don't understand why doctors make these silly statements.

 

[Ross]

I was specifically told not to take vitamin E or fsh oil while on coumadin. The surgeon stated they thin out the blood and could cause issues with the inr levels

Aja

Aja it's time for you to learn the TRUTHS about Coumadin. Beleive it or not, you'll soon know more about it then those managing you!

Go to this site and start reading. There is a lot of information, so book mark it and everytime you hear something silly out of the mouths of those who are supposed to know, you can check it for yourself.

http://www.warfarinfo.com/warfarinfo.com2.htm

The following was submitted by a reader.

Fish oil supplementation does not increase bleeding tendency
OSLO, NORWAY. A group of Norwegian medical researchers reports that fish oil supplementation does not increase the bleeding tendency in heart disease patients receiving aspirin or warfarin. The study involved 511 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. On the second day after the operation half the patients were assigned in a random fashion to receive 4 grams of fish oil per day (providing 2 g/day of eicosapentaenoic acid, 1.3 g/day of docosahexaenoic acid, and 14.8 mg/day of vitamin E). At the same time the patients were also randomized to receive either 300 mg of aspirin per day or warfarin aimed at achieving an INR of 2.5-4.2. The patients were evaluated every 3 months and questioned about bleeding episodes for the duration of the 9-month study.

The researchers concluded that fish oil supplementation did not result in a statistically significant increase in bleeding episodes in either the aspirin group or in the warfarin group. They also found no significant long-term effects of fish oil on common parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis. They noted that the blood levels (serum phospholipid levels) of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid increased by 140% and 14% respectively in the patients taking fish oil. The serum triglyceride levels decreased by 19.1% in the fish oil group while no significant change was observed in the remainder of the patients. NOTE: This study was partially funded by Pronova Biocare AS (a fish oil manufacturer) and Nycomed Pharma AS.
Eritsland, J., et al. Long-term effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on haemostatic variables and bleeding episodes in patients with coronary artery disease. Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, Vol. 6, 1995, pp. 17-22

Source found at: http://www.oilofpisces.com/bloodcoagulation.html

Submitted by G. Moeller

 

[Jkm7]

Though I was only on warfarin briefly post op, my surgeon and cardio both told me to continue taking the fish oil I took pre op.