Dietary K can be found in spinach, kale, broccoli, and olive and canola oils. Another vitamin K protein identified in 1993, Gas6, may have something to do with cell growth. Osteocalcin works with vitamin D, and may involve K as well. Several proteins dependent on K have been identified, including osteocalcin, matrix Gla protein (MGP), and protein S. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention and administration of the antidote for Coumadin®.īesides the clotting issue, vitamin K may contribute to bone mineralization. Symptoms of an overdose include excessive bruising, blood in the urine or stool, and abnormal bleeding from any external wounds, the nose or gums. A warfarin overdose occurs if the patient takes too much, or there is weight loss while on the medication. The balance is tricky to maintain, and patients taking Coumadin® ideally should not ingest more than 90-120 mcg per day of vitamin K-rich foods or supplements. Regular testing for prothrombin time may catch an overdose before it becomes serious, so healthcare providers can adminster the antidote for Coumadin®. Coumadin® disrupts the cycle and causes K deficiency, which inhibits the formation of DVT and other thrombi. The body doesn’t stockpile much of the vitamin, so a process called the vitamin K cycle reuses it. Without it, the proteins don’t aggregate and the risk of hemorrhage rises. Vitamin K enables clotting factors in the blood to work properly. A transfusion of plasma is also given to replace fluids lost in heavy bleeding. In this case, the antidote is administered intravenously, slowly at 5 to 10 milligrams over a period of thirty minutes. The administration of vitamin K as an antidote for Coumadin® is usually performed orally, unless bleeding is critical. Coumadin® patients should have a medical alert on their persons in case problems arise during therapy, so the antidote can be administered quickly.Īn antidote acts in opposition to a substance, reversing its effect. Patients should avoid foods that contain vitamin K while taking the medication. Vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin that the body stores in limited quantities, is the antidote for Coumadin® overdose it also contributes to vascular and bone health. Coumadin®, the brand name of warfarin, is an anticoagulant medication taken by patients who are prone to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or other vascular disorders.

Coumadin antidote vitamin k