Warfarin and alcohol: compatibility, possible consequences

In the article, we consider the compatibility of Warfarin and alcohol.

Very often, doctors hear from their patients the question of the possibility of drinking alcohol during therapy with a drug such as Warfarin. Almost every doctor reports that drinking alcohol while taking this medication is considered undesirable and can lead to unpleasant consequences for the body. Most often, alcohol reduces the therapeutic effect of drugs, but with "Warfarin", the situation is somewhat different.

Characteristics and mechanism of drug exposure

For a better understanding of the effect on the body of "Warfarin" with alcohol, you should understand the mechanism of action of the medication, which, in turn, involves studying the mechanism of blood coagulation. It is no secret that with minor damage to blood vessels, bleeding that occurs on its own stops in a few minutes. This process is due to three components:

1. Endothelium. Represents the inner surface of a blood vessel. When damaged, a large number of certain substances that have activity and trigger the coagulation process exit.
2. Platelets. They are the main building material that makes up the patch on the vessel. It is platelets that form a blood clot at the site of damage.
3. Plasma factors. Plasma factors include about fifteen different enzymes and substances. Each of them is able to directly affect the rate of occurrence of a blood clot and affect its size.

The blood coagulation mechanism is quite reliable and complex. Undoubtedly, it is necessary for the human body. Thanks to the hemostasis system, there is a guarantee that a person will not lose a lot of blood due to trauma or surgery. That is, hemostasis is a kind of defense of the body.

However, sometimes situations arise in which blood coagulation interferes. With the active work of the hemostatic system, there is a risk of blood clots when this is not necessary. The resulting blood clots in this case impede the normal circulation of blood. The greatest danger is the probability of their separation. As a result, a blockage of a vein or artery may occur, and this, in turn, can lead to death.

To reduce the likelihood of unwanted blood clots formation allows the use of anticoagulant drugs. One such medicine is Warfarin. Against the background of its intake, the synthesis of vitamin K in the liver is suppressed, which contributes to the formation of overly active plasma factors.

Indications for use

The main indication for the use of "Warfarin" is the presence in the patient of increased blood coagulability and, as a result, a tendency to form blood clots. In some cases, it can be used as an element of the complex therapy of similar diseases. In parallel with it, specialists can prescribe other medications, diet and various procedures.

"Warfarin" is indicated for use in the following ailments and conditions:

1. Thromboembolism. This disease is characterized by the formation of a large number of blood clots in the blood vessels.
2. Venous thrombosis. Thrombosis can be inflammatory and non-inflammatory in nature.
3. Varicose veins located in the lower extremities. In particular, deep vein varicose veins.
4. Atrial fibrillation. This disease is characterized by heart rhythm disturbances. With atrial fibrillation, the heart beats with less activity. As a result, blood clots and stagnation form, more often in the left atrium.
5. During the recovery period after the installation of artificial implants. It can be stents, valves and others. Despite the fact that implants made of neutral materials are used in modern medicine, they are still alien to the body. The body forms a protective reaction, in which the formation of blood clots is often observed.

"Warfarin" is prescribed exclusively after a series of medical examinations, the main of which is a blood coagulogram. This laboratory test allows the doctor to see all the parameters of hemostasis.

Can alcohol and Warfarin be taken at the same time? This is a common question. Let's see below.

Dosage of Warfarin

"Warfarin", like any other medication, it is important to take as directed by a doctor. It is also important to comply with the prescribed regimens and dosages. The manufacturer of this drug is available in the form of tablets, each of which contains 2.5 mg of the active component. In rare cases, “Warfarin” is found in capsule form.

The recommended dosage of "Warfarin" depends on the characteristics of the patient's body. Most often, experts recommend starting therapy with two tablets. A single dose of the drug per day is indicated. The patient should take the drug at the same time and avoid omissions. The most suitable time for taking Warfarin is in the evening.

Given the reaction of the body to therapy using "Warfarin", the doctor can make a dosage adjustment. Changing the dose is allowed only after the necessary blood tests. During therapy, it is important for the patient to periodically pass a coagulogram and monitor blood parameters. The main indicator of the coagulogram, which is taken into account, is the international normalized ratio (INR), which means the period during which the coagulation system is activated.

INR indicators

INR may have the following indicators:

• 1-2. With this value, we can talk about normal blood coagulation. The effect of therapy with the use of "Warfarin" with such indicators will be absent. Blood clots will continue.
• 2-3. With this indicator, one can judge the effectiveness of therapy.
• 3 and above. With this indicator, the risk of significant blood loss is not excluded.

Based on the indicators of the coagulogram, the specialist is able to determine the dosage level indicated for admission. With INR values ​​of less than 2, it is recommended to increase the dosage of the drug, with a value of more than 3 - reduce.

Many people wonder what will happen if you drink alcohol while taking "Warfarin."

Side effects of the drug

When taking any medication, there is an effect on the whole body as a whole, and not on private systems and organs. In this regard, it is rarely possible to completely avoid side effects. Negative effects may develop during therapy with Warfarin. First of all, we are talking about the danger of blood loss. This is due to the fact that the direct effect of Warfarin is the inhibition of coagulation. If a patient is injured (closed or open) while undergoing the course of therapy with this drug, then there is a great risk of significant loss of blood. It is important in this case to provide timely medical care.

This is compounded by the fact that for “Warfarin” a prolonged action is characteristic. That is, the withdrawal of the drug after receiving traumatic injuries will have an effect only after a few days. It takes so much time for the effect of the drug to stop, and blood coagulation to return to its previous value.

Reviews on the compatibility of Warfarin and alcohol will be presented at the end of the article.

Less dangerous consequences

There are other, less dangerous, undesirable consequences, including gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea. In some cases, the patient against the background of therapy may experience inflammatory processes on the skin. Under the influence of the medication, necrosis and necrosis of the upper layers of the epidermis can be observed. As a result, active hair loss may occur. In this regard, experts advise careful monitoring of health and health throughout the course of treatment with Warfarin.

What should alert you?

With special attention, the patient should treat the following reactions of his body:

1. The occurrence of bleeding gums when brushing your teeth.
2. The appearance of large and long-term hematomas after minor injury.
3. Color change of urine towards pink.
4. Increased duration and intensity of menstruation in women.
5. The development of periodic abdominal pain and the occurrence of vomiting, which resembles coffee grounds.
6. Heart palpitations, dizziness and weakness.
7. Frequent nosebleeds.

If such symptoms are detected, the patient is recommended to urgently conduct a blood coagulation test. If the INR level is more than 3 units, then the dosage of Warfarin should be reduced. However, such a decision should be made solely by the doctor. An independent change in the treatment regimen can provoke a worsening of the condition.

Warfarin and alcohol are the result of their interaction

Most often, the effect of medications is significantly reduced if the patient takes alcoholic beverages. In some cases, the medication taken ceases to act at all. In this regard, in patients taking the drug, the question arises about the possibility of combining Warfarin with alcohol.

Typically, a similar question arises in connection with the fact that during the treatment process you may need to take several medications, and they, in turn, may contain ethanol. Therefore, such a question arises.

The effect of Warfarin with alcohol differs significantly from the vast majority of medicines - under the influence of ethanol its effectiveness does not decrease, but, on the contrary, increases. That is, they enhance the effect of each other. Also, in the process of their interaction, a special protein is synthesized, which contributes to the rapid resorption and cleavage of thrombotic formations that had formed by that time in the blood.

What's happening?

However, it is important to understand that a similar effect of the joint use of alcohol and Warfarin can bring not only benefits. Abuse is not worth it for a number of reasons:

1. When taking large doses of alcohol, the liver suffers greatly. The medication also depresses its functionality.
2. A load is formed on all systems and organs. Under the influence of alcohol, the effect of the drug increases, respectively, coagulability is inhibited more. As a result, there is an increased load on the CCC.
3. Warfarin and alcohol have a prolonged effect. Complete elimination of these substances occurs within a few days. As a result, an additional burden falls on the kidneys.

If possible, the patient is advised to refrain from such a combination. In this case, it will be easier for the doctor to control blood counts, and dose adjustment of the medicine will not be required.

So with the simultaneous use of Warfarin and alcohol, the result can be disastrous.

Fundamental rules

If alcohol intake cannot be completely ruled out, then several medical recommendations should be followed:

1. When using "Warfarin", the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed should not exceed 50 grams. The amount of low-alcohol drinks, such as wine or beer, should not exceed 200 grams.
2. You can drink the indicated amount of alcohol, but you should not do this every day. Acceptable is the intake of ethanol no more than twice a week. This rule does not apply to medicines, but together with them, alcohol enters the body in small quantities.
3. You should not combine alcohol and products with a pronounced antithrombotic effect, such as grapefruit and cranberry juice. Such a combination can lead to immediate bleeding. This is the reason for the prohibition of concurrent administration of Warfarin and cranberry tinctures for alcohol.

Neglect of these recommendations can provoke a situation in which even the medical staff will not be able to stop the bleeding that has occurred.

Warfarin and alcohol - reviews

There are numerous reviews about the simultaneous use of alcohol and this medication. People complain of poor health, increased heart rate, headaches, and increased pressure.

In addition, when taken together, nausea often develops, vomiting is not excluded, as well as abdominal pain.

To avoid such unpleasant and dangerous symptoms, you should not drink alcohol during treatment with this drug.

We examined the compatibility of Warfarin and alcohol.