warfarin + vitamin k

Warfarin + vitamin K refers to the interaction between the anticoagulant drug warfarin and vitamin K. Warfarin is a small molecule oral anticoagulant that acts as a vitamin K antagonist. It inhibits the enzyme vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1), thereby blocking the recycling of vitamin K and reducing synthesis of active clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X as well as proteins C and S[1][3][6]. This results in decreased blood clotting ability and is used for prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, atrial fibrillation-related thromboembolism, cardiac valve replacement-associated thrombosis, and post-myocardial infarction events[1][3]. Vitamin K (including forms such as phytonadione/vitamin K1 or menaquinone/vitamin K2) is an essential cofactor for γ-carboxylation of these clotting factors; supplementation with exogenous vitamin K can reverse or reduce warfarin’s anticoagulant effect by bypassing VKORC1 inhibition[6]. The balance between dietary/supplemental intake of vitamin K and warfarin dosing is critical for maintaining stable anticoagulation therapy[5][8].

Other names

phytonadionemenaquinonemenadione