Anticoagulant Therapy

An anticoagulant is a blood thinner that helps to prevent the formation of blood clots in the legs, lungs and blood vessels throughout the body, thus reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism.

Careful and close monitoring of the level of blood thinning is essential to minimize the risk of bleeding. Your coumadin dosage may need to be adjusted periodically as guided by the blood test. Many medications may interfere with the blood thinning effect of Coumadin and it is very important to notify us of any changes to your medications, including over the counter and herbal supplements.

Your diet can also affect your response to Coumadin. In general, green leafy vegetables may reduce the effect of Coumadin and "thicken" your blood. As such, it is important to maintain a balanced intake of such foods while on Coumadin and avoid periods of excessive intake interrupted by periods of low consumption. In addition, you should avoid excessive amounts of alcohol, cranberry juice, and cranberry products while taking COUMADIN.