Drug Interaction

[SnoopyJ]

Does anyone on this site know if there’s a problem taking K-2 Mk7 with Xarelto. I know that they say it can’t be taken with Warfarin, but Xarelto is not in the same category as Warfarin.

[GalMacPhee]

There is no problem taking K2 with Xarelto. You are right that Xarelto is in a different category and works in an entirely different way.

[SnoopyJ in reply to GalMacPhee]

I’ve just been diagnosed with osteoporosis and don’t plan on taking the medications that my doctor has prescribed. After researching I’m hoping to be able to control it with vitamin supplements and increasing my exercise. As I’m on Xarelto for atrial fibrillation obviously the K2 was a concern……I appreciate your response Gail.

[GalMacPhee in reply to SnoopyJ]

Sounds like an excellent plan!

I have also been on anticoagulates for Afib. I had side-effects from Xarelto (I think the dosage was too high) so I ended up on Pradaxa, which I took for a month before the ablation and for quite a few months afterward. Now I'm off the anti-coagulates, and although I have an irregular heart rhythm, I have not had a return of the Afib. It's always confusing dealing with cardiac issues and osteoporosis. I always wrestle with the question of whether to take calcium supplements or not. Recommended for osteoporosis, but problematic for the heart. For sure, K2 is essential. Wish I had known about it earlier when I was taking mega-doses of calcium, which was going straight into my arteries and not into my bones.

[SnoopyJ in reply to GalMacPhee]

I find this aging and ending up on medications so complex, and we seem to be taking pills for one issue and then find out that the medication presents another problem. I’ve been on 20 mg. of a statin for the past few years and in researching info re osteoporosis came across information stating that higher dosages such as this can contribute toward osteoporosis….10 mg. apparently not an issue, but 20 is!! I know many doctors don’t like us digging through info on the internet, but thank goodness we have this option now so that we can understand our options and then hopefully be able to talk to our health care providers about them.

[GalMacPhee in reply to SnoopyJ]

I am also very happy to have the internet to assist in getting the research and understanding the options. The cardiologists and endocrinologists are not on the same page. And too many of these specialists rely on only the current "standard of care" guidelines, rather than reading the research, listening to the patients, and determining a more individual approach. I'm glad to have the diagnostics, but I am increasingly questioning the treatments. The suggestions are appreciated because I respect their training and experience, but orders won't be followed unless they make sense. My call. Being compliant hasn't always worked out, so I'm willing to be non-compliant if that seems the better path. Thanks for this good conversation about the confusing health situations we find ourselves in. Take care, SnoppyJ!

[SnoopyJ in reply to GalMacPhee]

You’re absolutely right….it’s our call. Take care as well Gail.

[ROSModerator Partner]

Thanks everyone for your discussion here about Calcium and Vitamin K. If you would like to get more information about Calcium do check this ROS resource - strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi.... We work with experts in the field to provide up to date, evidence- based information.

We’ve noticed that some people have been saying vitamin K supplements are essential to ensure good bone health. Just to let you know that the current up to date expert view, based on the research evidence is that healthy eating is the best way to get all the nutrients that your bones need. You may, of course, choose to take a vitamin K supplement. But our nutritional advisers tells us research hasn’t yet proven that this is useful.

See our fact sheet - strwebprdmedia.blob.core.wi... and hear Professor Sue Lanham New in our Bone Matters series to hear more.

- youtube.com/watch?v=wBP4L7F...(Not working as expected?)

[Met00 in reply to ROSModerator]

It's K2 supplements that are recommended, not vitamin K (which is K1). It's very difficult to get sufficient K2 in diet unless you like natto! In Japan, K2 is prescribed for osteoporosis, because they noticed that people who eat a lot of natto have fewer fractures than those who don't.