Alcohol and Warfarin
Patients taking warfarin should refrain from drinking excessive amounts of alcohol as it may influence your INR results.
Although many studies have supported health benefits from certain alcoholic beverages, such as wine, each person’s health is different. Not only could it interfere with your warfarin medication, but alcohol can also interact with other medications.
A recent article in a medical journal showed even a small in-take of alcohol can increase a patient’s INR. A 58-year old patient who had been stable on warfarin began taking low quantities of beer for its perceived cardio-protective properties. The patients INR increased with the consistent in-take of small quantities of beer. When the patient stopped drinking the beer, his INR returned to the level it was before he began drinking beer.1
It is important to discuss your alcoholic consumption or any changes in diet or medication with your doctor.
- Havrda DE, Mai T, Chonlahan J. Enhanced antithrombotic effect of warfarin associated with low-dose alcohol consumption. Pharmacotherapy. 2005 Feb;25(2):303-7.
