this is an excellent question and one you should ask your doctor. warfarin (brand name: coumadin) is a "blood thinning" medication that is used to slow down the time it takes your blood to clot. warfarin is used for certain medical issues including atrial fibrillation or deep vein thrombosis (dvt). the effectiveness of warfarin is very much dependent on the foods you eat. some studies have shown that fasting can make warfarin less effective. this means if you fast while taking warfarin you could be at increased risk for developing a blood clot. some religions mandate periods of fasting and a person on warfarin does not need to choose between honoring his religious beliefs and maintaining the therapeutic benefits of warfarin. tell your doctor about periods of fasting you anticipate participating in and your physician may opt to monitor your blood work more closely and adjust your dose to keep you safe. if you are considering fasting for some other reason i would advise you talk to your doctor before you do so. wishing you well!
is it ok to fast while taking coumadin?