Health warning for warfarin patients

People taking the blood-thinning drug warfarin have been warned not to consume Anlene milk or yoghurt without consulting a medical specialist.

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority yesterday warned people taking warfarin that there could be significant health risks associated with the level of vitamin K in Anlene products.

Warfarin is available under the trade names Coumadin and Marevan.

The authority said Anlene contained levels of vitamin K which, for most consumers, would not lead to any health risks.

Anlene is sold as dietary supplements in New Zealand and comes as a milk drink in 1-litre cartons, a milk drink in 2-litre bottles and yoghurt in 450g or 150g pottles.

Its labels are green and white with red branding and are displayed in chillers where dairy products are sold.

The warning came after a risk assessment of vitamin K on consumer health by the authority showed the levels of the vitamin in the product could interfere with the efficacy of warfarin.

The authority has asked Fonterra Brands, the product's manufacturer, to place a warning on all Anlene labels informing those taking warfarin not to consume the products without consulting their GP or specialist.

Fonterra Brands New Zealand general manager of marketing, Andrew Smith, said any warfarin users who had questions should consult their health professional.

He said customers' health and safety was paramount and the company was working with the authority to ensure that those who might face risks were aware which products and foods had a high level of vitamin K.

- NZPA