What effect does alcohol have on the INR?

Alcohol can interfere with the accuracy of INR results.

Consuming alcohol can lead to a falsely elevated INR. This means that the INR may appear higher than it actually is, which could result in a person receiving a higher dose of warfarin than they need. This could increase the risk of bleeding.

Alcohol can also cause an INR to fluctuate, making it difficult to maintain a stable INR. This can also increase the risk of bleeding.

Therefore, it is important for people taking warfarin to avoid alcohol or limit their alcohol intake.