Warfarin and Alcohol

[NotAGolfer]

I take warfarin for a mechanical valve. I still drink alcohol, but rarely will I have more than 3 drinks. Anyone else take warfarin and drink alcohol?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

People can drink with Warfarin but only 2 units or less per day and not more than 5 days in any 7. Beer and wine tend to be better than spirits that can aggravate ulcers, or their creation, more. Overdoing alcohol can lead to a bleed which could potentially be fatal.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Try this..

bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

[Hidden in reply to Lowerfield_no_more]

I would limit alchohol to a very minimum if you have had atherosclerosis. Alchohol is only metabolised by the liver. Frequent alcoholic consumption will raise triglycerides and by that you will raise small dense LDL which is the cause of plaque build up.

[Mentdent]

Alcohol makes warfarin work better so if you are going to drink be careful. A glass of wine with a meal won’t do any harm but a bottle could put you in hospital or even a wooden box.

[MarmiteB]

My warfarin nurse is actually very relaxed about alcohol. I asked about drinking a bottle of wine in one eve and she said it was fine to do! She said just don’t do it more than 2 days in a row. So, different to what others have said…

[TAVIshock]

Yes, I am on Warfarin and do still drink (red wine, 2 glasses/day) The wine is nice, but I am better without it.

Best

Tavishock

[Mitchum]

I'm probably going to upset a lot of people here but, in the 22 years I have taken warfarin (INR range 3-4) I have hardly missed a day of drinking alcohol. I have a glass of beer, 500ml, five nights per week and four nights per week share a bottle of wine with my wife. Friday I have a gin and tonic instead of beer. I never drink more and if I stop I will have problems dosage wise and thoroughly understand this. This is my choice and I would never advocate it for anybody else.

[Hanibil in reply to Mitchum]

Well said why do people think taking warfarin is some kind of death penalty, do this don’t do that. Surely taking it is to enable those on it to live there lives.

[Seamab in reply to Mitchum]

I think that is the secret,keep the amount you drink consistent and that won't upset the INR!

[Hanibil]

Hi yes I take warfarin and drink alcohol and have done for the last twenty years, trick is not to over do it. Keep an eye on your INR with a home monitor.

[Rosie1066]

I stick religiously to one glass of wine only as my Warfarin levels are so unstable. I don’t take any chances.

[Clairealou]

hi there. I’m kind of with Mitchum here. I don’t drink every day and don’t generally drink a lot but if I want a good night out with a few drinks, I will. After 5 Valve replacement surgeries, I’m pretty relaxed about most things now and do what makes me happy. A bottle of wine has never put me in A&E but I have a machine to test my INR at home so will make changes to my doseage if needed. I actually find that the biggest cause of changes in my INR is other medication more than alcohol. However, everyone’s bodies react differently to different things so I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer. However, again, for me, my home test8ng machine was a bit of a game changer. Saves trips to my GP and they just text me when they need a reading. They’re called Coagucheck and available from Roche.

[TAVIshock]

Yes, I am on warfarin because of a blood clot on a replaced aortal valve and drink 2 or 3 glasses of red wine a day. I was assured by cardio that alcohol is ok with warfarin, but feel that I am better after TT days.

Best

Tavishock