Q&A: Is Coumadin Safe for Colitis?

My ulcerative colitis has been stable on Asacol. I recently was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and my cardiologist put me on Coumadin. Is that safe with my colitis?

Coumadin is a blood thinner that decreases the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Your cardiologist and gastroenterologist should work together to come up with the best regimen for your disease. Coumadin will not cause your colitis to flare or become active.  If however, your colitis is active, there will likely be an increase in the amount of bleeding when you are on Coumadin. If your colitis is controlled, you should be able to tolerate treatment with Coumadin well. If you are going to stay on Coumadin, your prothrombin times (PT) should be closely monitored, and you should alert your physicians if you have any sign if rectal bleeding.