The Effect of Turmeric on Warfarin

Turmeric is a plant that produces a bright yellow spice used in many cuisines, such as Indian and Chinese. In addition to its culinary uses, herbalists often use turmeric for the treatment of digestive and liver problems. However, turmeric poses a risk for side effects, particularly when taken with the drug warfarin.

Background

• Turmeric decreases the amount of your blood's platelets, the cells responsible for clotting or stopping bleeding following an injury, explains the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Because warfarin is a blood thinner that also decreases the clotting potential of your blood, turmeric increases the effects of the medication.

Risks

• Since turmeric increases the effects of warfarin, the combination of the two has the potential to cause severe or sudden bleeding or hemorrhaging, warns the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It is also possible that you could suffer prolonged or uncontrollable bleeding following an accident, injury, surgery or dental work.

Clinical evidence

• A 2000 study conducted at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacological Sciences at Purdue University in Indianapolis, Indiana, and published in the American Journal of Health System Pharmacy found that turmeric is among a large number of supplements that increase your risk of hemorrhaging while taking warfarin. The study concluded that turmeric should not be used as a supplement by patients taking warfarin.

Warning signs

• If you choose to use a combination of turmeric and warfarin, stay alert for signs of internal bleeding, such as easy bruising, vomiting or coughing up blood, stomach or abdominal pain, bright red or tarry-looking stools, red or rusty-colored urine, heavy or prolonged menstrual periods, swelling in your joints, fatigue, and sudden changes in vision or speech, warns the Cleveland Clinic.

Considerations

• In some cases, you may hear warfarin referred to by its brand name, Coumadin. Turmeric poses the same risks when taken with Coumadin as the herb does when used with warfarin. While consuming the amount of turmeric used in recipes is not likely to cause adverse effects when taking warfarin, consult your doctor before using the spice in cooking.