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Is It Safe To Have Warfarin And Clopidogrel Along With Alcohol?
My husband is on various drugs for CPD and heart problems including warfarin and clopridogril (spelling) and he has a couple of beers and sometimes a gin / martini plus a whisky or two each night. then takes a hot bath. I am really worried he is so unsteady now on his feet falling. what is this combination doing to him pleas can you help.
Wed, 3 Dec 2014
Hello,
Welcome to HCM
Appreciate your concern for your husband's health.
Alcohol can alter the warfarin metabolism and can interfere with its blood thinning properties.
Alcohol produces dilatation of the blood vessels and would divert the blood to the blood to the body. This compromises the blood flow to the brain. The peripheral vasodilation is increased by a hot water bath and further decreases the blood supply to the brain. These produce unsteadiness of gait in addition
to the neurological effect of alcohol is responsible for his falling.
Your husband should avoid having a hot water bath after he takes alcohol and should reduce the quantity of alcohol, if he wants to drink.
Dr Noble Zachariah
Welcome to HCM
Appreciate your concern for your husband's health.
Alcohol can alter the warfarin metabolism and can interfere with its blood thinning properties.
Alcohol produces dilatation of the blood vessels and would divert the blood to the blood to the body. This compromises the blood flow to the brain. The peripheral vasodilation is increased by a hot water bath and further decreases the blood supply to the brain. These produce unsteadiness of gait in addition
to the neurological effect of alcohol is responsible for his falling.
Your husband should avoid having a hot water bath after he takes alcohol and should reduce the quantity of alcohol, if he wants to drink.
Dr Noble Zachariah
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