Warfarin and OTC meds? My dr told me I could take anything without triptans and be OK,

[bexter0021]

however while researching cold and flu remedies I looked up the inactive ingrediants I didn't recognize and most contain meds that do not interact well w/Warfarin. Anyone know of any SAFE remedies other than NyQuil/DayQuil?

[Manofmendip]

Hi

We are not doctors on here so we are unable to provide medical advice. You should always check with you Dr and/or the pharmacist regarding what OTC (over the counter) remedies are safe to take with Warfarin.

Do you have APS?

Best regards.

Dave

[Anon75]

Warfarin can interact with pretty much everything, inc. OTC remedies. Unless you're prepared to monitor your own INR every 5 days or so (to see what affects your own time in therapy range) I'd steer clear of adding anything new to your drug regime. Even simple paracetamol can raise your INR significantly. It's a fickle thing!

[bexter0021]

Well the Pharmacist said use Nyquil/Dayquil which I did and today my INR went from 1/5 3 days ago to 5.8 I do have APS and my dr. said the Tylenol in Nyquil was probably responsible so no Warfarin for me for two days then back for a recheck. I kind of feel like a yo-yo with these meds. Plus now there is NO Migraine medicine I am allowed to take..............feeling frustrated!

[tassie]

Bexter discuss it with your doctor as hopefully they can work out a medication you can take or adjust your warfarin dose to accommodate one ...and yes warfarin is a fickle beast as my doctor likes to remind me

[GinaD]

We're all different. My pharmacist and I found that Benadryl works well for me. And I rely on a lot of non pharmacologic helps such as using a wedge to elevate my head at night; saline nasal spray,( haven't tried it yet but with the next bad cold I'm going to try a netty pot,) running a humidifier with eucalyptus drops. But remember! If you take an antibiodic -any antibiodic! It's going to change your gut flora which will in turn change the absorption rate of Vitamin K, which will change that INR.

Good luck. Learning how best to deal with a cold is yet another learning curve for us warfarin patients.

It can be frustrating I know.

[GinaD]

And also note that one reason were all different is that latest jaw-dropping research shows that we all have different gut flora populations and percentages. And any meds could change that flora make up, which will potentially change K absorption rates. Which, for me, explains why I have noted that i should get an extra blood test 2- 3days after starting any new meds.

[Holley]

I was told no decongestants and no ibuprofen for OTC.

[MaryF Administrator]

Yes please do check in great detail with your consultant as well as the pharmacist as you need the finer detail in a situation like this. MaryF

[Herb]

Also if you are on warfarin it can interact with other medications you take regularly, so that really the doctor or pharmacies would need a complete list of what you were on.

For example I heard that grapefruit could react with warfarin but when I asked the pharmacist at the INR clinic he said yes it does but only when some other meds are taken too.