ENTERAL FEEDS AND WARFARIN AND OTHER ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS
Enteral feeds may contain sufficient vitamin K1 (commonly about 4 to 10 micrograms
per 100 mL) to antagonise the effects of warfarin. One study in children reported that those receiving enteral nutrition (mostly vitamin K-enriched formula) required
2.4-fold higher maintenance warfarin doses.
Starting or stopping enteral feeds might affect dose requirements of vitamin K
antagonists (coumarins and indanediones). It is also possible that there is a local
interaction in the gut, as in one case separating the administration of the warfarin and an enteral feed by 3 hours or more was effective. Patients should be advised not to add or substitute dietary supplements such as Ensure without increased
monitoring of their coagulation status.
per 100 mL) to antagonise the effects of warfarin. One study in children reported that those receiving enteral nutrition (mostly vitamin K-enriched formula) required
2.4-fold higher maintenance warfarin doses.
Starting or stopping enteral feeds might affect dose requirements of vitamin K
antagonists (coumarins and indanediones). It is also possible that there is a local
interaction in the gut, as in one case separating the administration of the warfarin and an enteral feed by 3 hours or more was effective. Patients should be advised not to add or substitute dietary supplements such as Ensure without increased
monitoring of their coagulation status.