Diet when taking Marcumar®

Synonyms in a broader sense

Phenprocoumon (active ingredient name), coumarins, vitamin K antagonists (inhibitors), anticoagulants, anticoagulants

What must be considered when taking?

The drug known under the trade name Marcumar® contains the active ingredient phenprocoumon, which belongs to the main group of coumarins (vitamin K antagonists).

The coumarins are molecules that suppress the natural processes of the Blood clotting and thus inhibit the clotting of the blood (anticoagulants).
During blood coagulation, cascade-like activation processes of various blood coagulation factors take place in the body, which means that certain blood coagulation factors come into action one after the other and then activate each other. Among other things, the vitamin K addicts Factors II, VII, IX and X indispensable for blood clotting.
These factors are carboxylated at a specific amino acid residue by vitamin K, which means that a carboxyl group is added.

As a result of this carboxylation, the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors are able to bind particularly effectively to calcium ions and thus promote blood clotting. The vitamin is chemically changed in the course of this carboxylation and has to be regenerated by the so-called vitamin K epoxide reductase.

Coumarins in general and Marcumar® in particular now act as competitive inhibitors on this enzyme. In this context, competitive means that the drug competes with the modified vitamin K for a binding site on the enzyme and thus the regeneration rate of vitamin K is enormous lowers.
The effect of Marcumar® is based on a lowering of the Vitamin K levels in the organism and a resulting prevention of the carboxylation of blood coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X.
The factors remain as a result inactive or can only be activated to a very limited extent.

With some foods, it can increase while taking Marcumar® Interactions come, but it is in no case necessary or even sensible to forego vitamin K intake through food. Excessive consumption of foods with a high vitamin K content several times a day should be avoided. One thing is important regular, if possible consistent dietwhich ensures that the concentration of the vitamin is kept as constant as possible.

Foods that are particularly high in vitamin K include vegetables such as cauliflower, Broccoli, Kohlrabi, asparagus and most of the green vegetables. Also cabbage in general, various Types of salad, sauerkraut and spinach have an extremely high vitamin K content.
Consumption of some meats, especially fatty ones beef, pork meat and Offal should not take place excessively.
On the other hand, chicken or turkey meat can be consumed without restriction or concern, thereby supplementing the diet.
Furthermore, patients should not use Marcumar® Eggs, milk or Dairy products ingesting excessive amounts.

Asparagus consumption when taking Marcumar®

Asparagus has a low vitamin K content of around 0.04 mg per 100 g. In theory, it might be a food that could be consumed despite treatment with Marcumar®. More and more authors and studies suggest that it is unnecessary to completely avoid foods that are high in vitamin K. Instead, care should be taken to avoid sudden changes in diet. For example, you should not suddenly switch from a normal diet to a high-fat diet. A one-sided diet and diet, for example a one-sided asparagus diet, would be just as harmful.

Sauerkraut consumption when taking Marcumar®

At 1.54 mg per 100 g, sauerkraut is one of the foods with a very high vitamin K content. Raw sauerkraut should therefore be avoided. When cooking, part of the vitamin K is destroyed by the effects of heat, so that the vitamin K content drops. There is controversial debate as to whether it is unnecessary or absolutely necessary to do without cooked sauerkraut as part of a treatment with Marcumar®. Close monitoring of the Quick value seems to make sense in any case.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is required in our body to activate blood clotting factors. Marcumar® is a drug that inhibits blood clotting. It inhibits the circulation of vitamin K. It disrupts the activation of the blood clotting factors. If you eat a diet rich in vitamin K, this can reduce the effectiveness of the drug. However, it is difficult to control the exact amount of vitamin K in the body. Because vitamin K is absorbed and metabolized differently in the intestine. In addition, the intestinal bacteria produce vitamin K. If you are unsure about your diet, you should consult your doctor in order to achieve the most successful treatment possible with Marcuamar®.

Vitamin K dispenser

There are different tables with so-called vitamin K donors. One speaks of a high vitamin K value if the value is above 0.10 mg per 100 g of food. The information is often different. Many authors believe that it is not necessary to completely avoid foods with a high vitamin K content. It is advisable to eat a balanced, as uniform as possible, mixed diet. However, you should avoid raw sauerkraut and foods that are rich in leafy vegetables. In addition, food supplements such as multivitamin preparations containing vitamin K should be avoided. If you are unsure, it is advisable to contact the attending physician.

Marcumar® and alcohol

Against the occasional consumption of alcohol There is generally nothing wrong with taking coumarin active ingredients such as Marcumar®.
Regular or excessive consumption of alcohol is, however, strongly discouraged because these drugs develop their effectiveness in the tissue of the liver. Since alcohol is also broken down and metabolized in the liver, excessive consumption can have a lasting effect on the effectiveness of the drug. The effectiveness of the preparation is reduced and the anticoagulant function throttled, the likelihood of one thrombus to form in turn increases.
Approximately one to two glasses of wine per week are allowed, anything beyond that can lead to serious complications in the treatment process.
It should also be noted that there is a significantly higher risk of bleeding when using anti-coagulant medication.
In connection with the consumption of alcohol and / or drugs, a state of intoxication arises, in which it is much more likely that the person concerned sustains injuries, which in turn can lead to profuse bleeding.

Please also read our article on this Marcumar® and alcohol - are they compatible?