Coumadin Drug Interactions

It is important to talk to your healthcare provider every time you start or stop any medication while taking Coumadin. Drug interactions could occur that may lead to life-threatening problems, such as blood clots, strokes, and internal bleeding. Since so many medications can interact with Coumadin, you should get accustomed to checking with your healthcare provider before making any medication changes.

Coumadin Interactions: An Overview

Coumadin® (warfarin sodium) is likely to interact with many different medications, far too many to list here. In fact, there are more than 50 different categories of medicines that interact with Coumadin (usually with many individual drugs within each category). It is good practice to assume that any medication or supplement (such as dietary or herbal supplements) can interact with Coumadin, unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you otherwise.
 
It should also be noted that Coumadin may interact with foods (see Coumadin Diet for more information).
 

Where to Find Information on Coumadin Drug Interactions

It is probably not a good idea to rely on the Internet or books for up-to-date information on drug interactions with Coumadin.
 Information about interactions is constantly changing, and Web sites or books could be outdated. Even the prescribing information ("package inserts") for medications should not be relied upon, as it may take quite awhile for this information to be updated and put into print.
 
Your healthcare provider should have access to resources for checking the most current information about Coumadin drug interactions. Specialized "Coumadin clinics" are particularly good at keeping up to date with current information regarding interactions.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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