Warfarin is a strong anticoagulant and it affects the platelets and prevents them from aggregating. This decreases the clotting property of the blood, making it difficult for the blood to clot. Aspirin also has this effect on the platelets and causes the blood to thin. It also decreases the clotting property of the blood.
Giving two medicines together can cause the blood to thin excessively, increasing the chances of bleeding. The patient may start to bleed internally or externally, which is difficult to stop, leading to excessive, sometimes fatal blood loss. This is why medical practitioners avoid giving the two medicines together.
Don\ t take aspirin while you\ re taking warfarin.-rationale: because aspirin decreases platelet aggregation and interferes with clotting, concomitant use of aspirin with warfarin, an anticoagulant, may lead to excessive anticoagulant effects and bleeding. warfarin therapy is most effective with consistent dietary intake of vitamin k. increase intake of foods rich in vitamin k, such as broccoli, could change the clients warfarin dose requirements. although warfarin interrupts the normal clotting cycle, it doesnt dissolve clots that have already formed. the client should take warfarin exactly as ordered to maintain the desired level of anticoagulation. doubling a dose could cause bleeding.client needs category: physiological integrityclient needs subcategory: pharmacological and parenteral therapiescognitive level: comprehensionreference: smeltzer, s.c., et al. brunner & suddarths textbook of medical surgical-nursing, 11th ed. philadelphia: lippincott williams & wilkins, 2008, p. 1010.