The test score depends on how smart the virus. <JK>

I wouldn't expect that a bad cold per se would affect the coumadin
level; however, the things you take when you have a bad cold might.

Warfarin is known to interact with other chemicals that might be
present in cold medicines and even non-medicinal cold remedies. For
example, caffeine and ascorbic acid may interfere with warfarin. The
interaction may change the potency either enhancing or reducing,
depending on the quantities and composition of the other medications.

Ximelagatran is another anticoagulant that is shown to be less likely
to be affected by caffeine and ascorbic acid that may be present in
food sources or cold medicines.

But, in the case of acute bleeding, warfarin responds well to antidote
(vitamin K), while ximelagatran does not.

"While taking warfarin, it is important to eat a normal, balanced diet.
The amount of vitamin K in your body affects the way that warfarin
works. It is best to avoid sudden changes in your diet, especially
unusual increases or decreases in the amount of foods high in vitamin K
(e.g., liver, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale,
spinach and other green leafy vegetables, green tea, and certain
vitamin supplements). It is best to avoid strictly vegetarian diets
that consist of foods high in vitamin K.**"

...
"Many drugs and herbal products interact with warfarin. Before using
this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and
nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:
acetaminophen (repeated use or large doses), allopurinol,
aminoglutethimide, amiodarone, anabolic steroids (e.g., danazol,
stanozolol), certain injectable cephalosporin antibiotics (e.g.,
cefamandole, cefotetan), macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin,
clarithromycin), certain oral and injectable penicillin-type
antibiotics (e.g., dicloxacillin, piperacillin), quinolone antibiotics
(e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), certain other antibiotics (e.g.,
chloramphenicol, metronidazole), azole antifungals (e.g., voriconazole,
vaginal miconazole), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), birth control
pills, certain drugs to treat cancer (e.g., capecitabine,
fluorouracil), carbamazepine, drugs to lower cholesterol or
triglycerides (e.g., cholestyramine, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil,
lovastatin, simvastatin), cimetidine, corticosteroids (e.g.,
prednisone), disulfiram, glucagon, griseofulvin, herbal/dietary
products (e.g., bromelains, co-enzyme Q, danshen, dong quai, garlic,
ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John's wort), nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as celecoxib, ibuprofen, topical
methylsalicylate), omeprazole, propafenone, propoxyphene, quinidine,
quinine, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin, rifabutin), certain sedatives
(e.g., chloral hydrate, ethchlorvynol, glutethimide), sulfa drugs,
sulfinpyrazone, SSRI antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine),
tamoxifen, drugs to treat thyroid disease (e.g., levothyroxine,
propylthiouracil), vitamin E, vitamin K, zafirlukast.**"

ref.
**
http://my.webmd.com/drugs/mono-6022-WARFARIN+-+ORAL.aspx?title=WARFARIN+-+ORAL#s
ideeffects

The medications/antibiotics you might take for the "cold" can interact
with the coumadin.

You are welcome :-)


At His service,

Andrew

--
Andrew B. Chung, MD/PhD
Board-Certified Cardiologist

**
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(1) http://makeashorterlink.com/?L26062048
(2) http://makeashorterlink.com/?U2A821CEA
(3) http://makeashorterlink.com/?X1C62661A
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