Fish Oils

Persianlady05 · Jan 1, 2007

I read a article about fish oil was a good replacement for coumadin .does anyone know info on this or omega -3 reason I am inrequring is because I have such problems with coumadin

Blanche · Jan 1, 2007

Dear Lady:
Would you please post the article you read about fish oil being a replacement for coumadin? I would so appreciate that so I can know what the authors are saying.

My take on this is that while fish oil does affect the body in a similar way to Coumadin/Warfarin, there is no efficient way to monitor and maintain this. I, myself, frankly think that some of the recent news articles that I have read are very dangerous. Reporters assume that anything that interrupts the coagulation cascade can be used by people who have anticoagulation needs. They are not right. Coumadin/Warfarin are troublesome, but, we have years of information on how to use them and measure their effectiveness. The same can not be said for other elements, like fish oil.

http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/full/48/3/e1?ct

Kind regards,
Blanche

Persianlady05 · Jan 1, 2007

blanche

blanche

Hi ,thank you for your input i do appricate it I will find it and then post it have a good day christine

Ross · Jan 1, 2007

There is no replacement for Coumadin.

Christina · Jan 2, 2007

Persian,

You must have misread that article because like Ross said there is no replacement for Coumadin on the market.
Please don't go ahead and take the fish oil instead of Coumadin. You will put yourself in danger of a blood clot or stroke.

davidfortune · Jan 2, 2007

Persian,

While fish oil has recognized heart related benefits and does potentially increase the risk of spontaneous bleeding (in doses over 3 grams per day), it should not be substituted for regulated coumadin use.

Coumadin is standardized for dosage, potency, and quality. There are mountains of information regarding coumadin use for the purpose of anti-coagulation in the presence of a mechanical heart valve.

There are no such studies and certainly no long term evidence that fish oil is in any way an effective substitute for prescribed coumadin as an anti-coagulant for a person with a mechanical heart valve.

Please DO NOT attempt to take fish oil as a substitute for coumadin. You would be placing yourself at increased risk of blood clots which could lead to stroke.

Please also consult your physician before adding fish oil supplements to your diet since it can have an additive affect with coumadin (and other drugs such as statins or insulin).