Phytonadione (Vitamin K) |
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Basic Information
Phytonadione is one form of vitamin K.
Brand names:
Phytonadione Tablets
Mephyton(R)
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Yes
Fat-soluble or water-soluble: Fat-soluble
NATURAL SOURCES
Alfalfa
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Camembert cheese
Cauliflower
Cheddar cheese
Green tea
Oats
Soybeans
Spinach
Turnip greens
REASONS TO USE
Promotes normal growth and development.
Prevents hemorrhagic disease of the newborn.
Prevents abnormal bleeding, particularly in those with chronic
intestinal disease or those taking anti-coagulant medicines.
Vitamin K is normally manufactured in the intestinal tract by
"friendly" bacteria. If bacteria are destroyed or damaged by
disease or antibiotics, vitamin-K deficiency may develop.
Treats bleeding disorders due to vitamin K deficiency.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
None.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically
removed.
Premature newborns.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Anyone taking antibiotics that may destroy normal "friendly"
bacteria in the intestinal tract.
People who do not have enough bile to absorb fats. Replacement
must be given by injection.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Infants:
Failure to grow and develop normally.
Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn characterized by vomiting
blood and bleeding from the intestine, umbilical cord,
circumcision site. Symptoms begin 2 or 3 days after birth.
Adults:
Abnormal blood clotting that can lead to nosebleeds, blood in
urine, stomach bleeding, bleeding from capillaries or skin
causing spontaneous black-and-blue marks, prolonged clotting
time (a laboratory test).
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Excessive diarrhea.
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Prothrombin time
Serum prothrombin
Serum vitamin K
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
Estimated Safe Intake |
| 0-6 months |
12mcg/day |
| 6-12 months |
10-20mcg/day |
| 1-3 years |
15-30mcg/day |
| 4-6 years |
20-40mcg/day |
| 7-10 years |
30-60mcg/day |
| 11-17 years |
50-100mcg/day |
| 18+ years |
70-140mcg/day |
What this vitamin does:
Promotes production of active prothrombin (factor II),
proconvertin (factor VII) and other clotting factors. All are
necessary for normal blood clotting.
Miscellaneous information:
Very little vitamin K is lost from processing or cooking
foods.
When a severe bleeding disorder exists due to a vitamin-K
deficiency, fresh whole blood may be needed during severe
bleeding episodes. There is a significant delay before vitamin K
becomes effective when given by injection.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Injectable forms are administered by doctor or nurse.
NOTE: Vitamin K is not usually included in most
multivitamin/mineral preparations.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Are allergic to vitamin K.
Have a G6PD deficiency. See Glossary.
Have liver disease.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Cystic fibrosis.
Had prolonged diarrhea.
Prolonged intestinal problems.
Taken any other medicines.
Plans for surgery (including dental surgery) in the near
future.
Over age 55:
No problems expected.
Pregnancy:
No studies available in humans. Avoid if possible.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
Changes prothrombin times.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of vitamin.
Others:
Avoid overdosage. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Excess
intake can lead to impaired liver function.
Tell any dentist or doctor who plans surgery that you take
vitamin K.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
IN INFANTS: Brain damage.
IN ALL: Large doses may impair liver function.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Hemolytic anemia in infants |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| Hyperbilirubinemia (too much |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| bilirubin in the blood) in |
| newborns or infants given too |
| much vitamin K |
|
| Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes) |
Seek emergency treatment. |
| resulting from hyperbilirubinemia |
| ALLERGIC REACTIONS, INCLUDING: |
| Face flushing |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Gastrointestinal upset |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Rash |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Redness, pain or swelling at |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
| injection site |
immediately. |
| Skin itching |
Seek emergency treatment. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Anti-coagulants (oral) |
Decreases anti-coagulant effect. |
| Antibiotics, broad spectrum |
Causes vitamin-K deficiency. |
| Cholestyramine |
Decreases vitamin-K effect. |
| Colestipol |
Decreases vitamin-K effect. |
| Coumarin (isolated from sweet clover) |
Decreases vitamin-K effect. |
| Mineral oil (long term) |
Causes vitamin-K deficiency. |
| Primaquine |
Increases potential for toxic side effects. |
| Quinidine |
Causes vitamin-K deficiency. |
| Salicylates |
Increases need for vitamin K |
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when administered over long time. |
| Sucralfate |
Decreases vitamin-K effect. |
| Sulfa drugs |
Causes vitamin-K deficiency. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
None known
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