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Vitamin K and Coumadin®

The interaction between vitamin K and Coumadin® can change how effective this prescription is for you.

Coumadin® is prescribed for people who have a risk of developing blood clots that might block blood flow to the heart or brain. Coumadin® slows clot formation, without harmful reactions when properly administered. However, the level of this drug in the bloodstream must remain consistent for prevention to be effective.

Caution for those at risk of developing blood clots must include diet awareness, because some foods high in vitamin K will interfere with the effectiveness of the drug.

A sudden decrease of vitamin K in your diet could make the drug more potent than is safe. Or a sudden increase in vitamin K can cause the Coumadin® to become less effective, putting you at risk for a clot.

General health recommendations include:

Have regular blood tests
Take correct dose on schedule
Be aware of foods containing vitamin K in your diet

The current daily value recommended by the Institute of Medicine (U.S. National Academy of Sciences) is 120 micrograms (mcg) per day (2010), raised from the 1968 recommendation of 80 mcg. This lower daily value is still used to prepare nutritional facts labels on food products, which can cause confusion.

However, when concerned with the effects of vitamin K and Coumadin®, you need only to be consistent in consuming vitamin K in your diet (the amount has not been found to cause a problem). Eating habits that may change the balance of vitamin K and Coumadin® in your diet do need to be noted.

To help keep vitamin K consistent in your diet, know which foods have high amounts of this nutrient.

Especially High In Vitamin K

Kale, raw, chopped	1 cup	547.4 mcg
Kale, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	531.1 mcg
Kale, frozen, cooked	1/2 cup	573.3 mcg
Spinach, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	444.2 mcg
Spinach, frozen, cooked	1/2 cup	513.7 mcg
Turnip Greens, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	264.7 mcg
Turnip Greens, frozen, cooked	1/2 cup	425.5 mcg
Turnip Greens, canned	1/2 cup	206.1 mcg
Collard Greens, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	418.0 mcg
Swiss Chard, raw	1 cup	298.8 mcg
Swiss Chard, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	286.4 mcg
Mustard Greens, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	209.7 mcg
Mustard Greens, frozen, cooked	1/2 cup	251.3 mcg
Parsley, dried spice	1 teaspoon	6.8 mcg
Parsley, fresh raw	1/4 cup	246.0 mcg
Cilantro (coriander) leaves, raw	1/2 cup	12.4 mcg

Somewhat High In Vitamin K

Spinach, raw	1 cup	144.9 mcg
Turnip Greens, raw	1 cup	138.1 mcg
Collard Greens, raw	1 cup	183.9 mcg
Brussels Sprouts, frozen, cooked	1/2 cup	109.4 mcg
Broccoli, chopped and cooked	1/2 cup	110.1 mcg
Broccoli, raw, chopped	1 cup	92.5 mcg
Cauliflower, raw	1 cup	16.6
Cauliflower, cooked	1/2 cup	8.6
Cauliflower, frozen, cooked	1/2 cup	10.7
Avocado (California), raw	1/2 fruit	14.3
Avocado (commercial), sliced	1 cup	30.7
Kiwi fruit (Gold), raw sliced	1 cup	10.2
Kiwi fruit (Green), raw, sliced	1 cup	72.5

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Nutrition based on data assembled from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
g=grams, mg=milligrams, mcg=micrograms, kcal=calories