Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 1/24/2004

Question
I've been taking cumadin for about 5 months now and I've noticed that my toleration for alcohol has become very low.  We normally like to have a couple of glasses of wine before dinner.  Could this have anything to do with the cumadin?

Answer
Dear Sharon

Firstly, it is usually recommended that alcohol be avoided during warfarin therapy. Have you checked with your physician about this? If your blood tests show that your dose of warfarin is correct and you regularly take a glass of wine, it may not be a problem but again please check with your physician.

Anyway, to answer your question, I know of no reason why you should become less tolerant to alcohol during warfarin therapy. Alcohol usually affects the action of the warfarin rather than vice versa. As one gets older tolerance to alcohol gets lower and it may just be this. It may be better to take your wine during or after eating to avoid feeling the effects of the alcohol.

Regards

Dr Alan galbraith