Bee Pollen - Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) Interaction
Herbal: Bee Pollen
Drug: Warfarin Sodium
Brand names:
Coumadin, Panwarfin, Sofarin
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Jul 22, 2023
Interaction Details
Warfarin Sodium is classified as belonging to the following category: Warfarin (Coumadin)
There is some concern that bee pollen might interact with warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.
In one case report, a patient on warfarin had a stable international normalized ratio (INR) of 1.9-3.3 for 9 months. The patient's INR was found to be 7.1 after starting bee pollen granules one teaspoon twice daily for approximately one month. The patient's warfarin dose was decreased by approximately 11% in order to return the INR to the therapeutic range while continuing the bee pollen supplement.
Interaction Rating
Likelihood of Occurrence
PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
References
- Hurren KM, Lewis CL. Probable interaction between warfarin and bee pollen. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2010;67:2034-7.
Bee Pollen Overview
Bee pollen is a natural product collected by bees from flowers and used as a dietary supplement due to its rich nutrient content. People consume bee pollen in the form of granules, capsules, or powder to boost energy, support the immune system, and provide essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins. It is believed to offer various health benefits and is often used as a superfood supplement to complement a balanced diet.
Warfarin Sodium Overview
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Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger in your blood and blood vessels. It is prescribed for people with certain types of irregular heartbeat, people with prosthetic (replacement or mechanical) heart valves, and people who have suffered a heart attack. Warfarin is also used to treat or prevent venous thrombosis (swelling and blood clot in a vein) and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung). Warfarin is in a class of medications called anticoagulants ('blood thinners'). It works by decreasing the clotting ability of the blood.
Bee Pollen - More Interactions
Bee Pollen interacts with 2 drugs
Interaction Rating Key
These severity listings are for informational use only. Never start, stop or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.
| Major | The combined use of these agents is strongly discouraged as serious side effects or other negative outcomes could occur. |
| Moderate | Use cautiously under the care of a healthcare professional or avoid this combination. A significant interaction or negative outcome could occur. |
| Minor | Be aware that there is a chance of an interaction. Watch for warning signs of a potential interaction. |
| Unknown | No interactions have been reported or no interaction data is currently available. |
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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Drug descriptions are provided by MedlinePlus.
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In addition to being a clinical pharmacist specializing in pharmacotherapy, Dr. Brian Staiger is a registered herbalist through the American Herbalist Guild. He has combined his passion for pharmacy practice with the study of medical ethnobotany to improve patient care. Feel free to reach out about any of your herbal or medication questions!
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