Can You Take Vitamin B-6 if Taking Warfarin?

About Vitamin B-6
About Warfarin
How to Take B-6
How to Take Warfarin

Written by Emma Watkins

23 August, 2011

Fact Checked

Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble nutrient that gets flushed when you urinate. You have to ingest it regularly because your body does not store the vitamin. Get B-6 from foods unless your doctor recommends dietary supplements. Warfarin is a prescription drug known as an anti-coagulant. There is no known adverse interaction between vitamin B-6 and warfarin, and it is likely safe for you to take them concurrently 2. But only your doctor can advise you on that.

About Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B-6 makes it possible for your immune system to produce proteins known as antibodies. Those are substances that attack disease agents such as bacteria and viruses when they enter your body. Your nervous system also requires this nutrient to facilitate communication between your brain and other body parts. Every time you eat a food that contains protein, vitamin B-6 helps your body to break it down into energy.

Vitamin B-6 makes it possible for your immune system to produce proteins known as antibodies.
Every time you eat a food that contains protein, vitamin B-6 helps your body to break it down into energy.

About Warfarin

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When you cut yourself, your blood goes through a quick chemical reaction to coagulate. That keeps you from bleeding to death. A life-threatening problem occurs when the coagulation happens inside your veins, forming blood clots that block blood flow. If you are diagnosed with that problem or your doctor believes you are at risk for developing it, she may prescribe warfarin. The drug reduces your blood’s capacity for clotting, keeping new blood clumps from forming and existing ones from expanding in size.

When you cut yourself, your blood goes through a quick chemical reaction to coagulate.
The drug reduces your blood’s capacity for clotting, keeping new blood clumps from forming and existing ones from expanding in size.

How to Take B-6

The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends getting your vitamins from foods. Nourishment from natural sources does not usually pose the same risk of side effects and overdoses as supplements do. Whole grains, meats, eggs, legumes and nuts are sources of vitamin B-6. Some manufacturers also enrich their breads and cereals with the nutrient. If your doctor identifies a reason for you to supplement the vitamin, follow her instructions concerning dosage and frequency. Manufacturers usually recommend one tablet daily with a meal. Vitamin B-6 does not interact with warfarin, but it does with 35 other drugs, according to Drugs.com 2 5. Even though the supplement is available without a prescription, consult your doctor before taking it.

The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends getting your vitamins from foods.
If your doctor identifies a reason for you to supplement the vitamin, follow her instructions concerning dosage and frequency.

How to Take Warfarin

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MedlinePlus recommends you take warfarin at the same time every day 1. Your doctor determines how many warfarin pills you require daily. Because the medication is an anti-coagulant, it may cause excessive bleeding as a side effect. Minimize the risks by taking only the prescribed daily dosage. Your doctor is likely to schedule regular blood tests and follow-up visits with her. The test results tell her how the current dosage of warfarin is working out for you. She may change your prescription based on the lab information. Always take warfarin according to the latest instructions you receive. Although this drug does not interact with vitamin B-6, it does with 709 drugs and supplements, Drugs.com says 2 3 4. Give your physician a complete list of products you take regularly for her to check for potential interactions.