Are you taking Heparin? Are you aware of the dangers of combining Heparin with certain foods, herbs, or alcohol? Drug-food-interactions are seldom discussed but can lead to undesirable side effects and potentially diminish the efficacy of the medication.
Tobacco Products: Smoking may decrease the effectiveness of heparin. Usage of tobacco products while taking heparin will increase the risk of blood clots.
Herbs: Do not take garlic, ginger, ginseng, ginkgo, cannabis, saw palmetto, green tea, papaya, mango or onion with heparin as the combination could alter the risk of bleeding with heparin.
Heparin Interactions with Food and Herbs
Vitamin K Rich Foods: Green leafy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, coriander, collard greens, spinach, kale, black licorice, turnip greens, Brussels sprouts and avocados which are rich in vitamin K decrease the ability of heparin to prevent blood clotting. Intake of soy foods may affect heparin activity.Tobacco Products: Smoking may decrease the effectiveness of heparin. Usage of tobacco products while taking heparin will increase the risk of blood clots.
Herbs: Do not take garlic, ginger, ginseng, ginkgo, cannabis, saw palmetto, green tea, papaya, mango or onion with heparin as the combination could alter the risk of bleeding with heparin.
