Vitamin K is a nutrient that the body needs in the blood clotting process. Vitamin K is found naturally in food and is available as an additional supplement.
The main sources of vitamin K are vegetables and fruits. Types of vegetables that contain vitamin K include kale, spinach, broccoli, radishes, mustard greens, and cabbage. While some types of fruit that contain vitamin K are avocados, figs, kiwi, pomegranate, and grapes.
Although not as much in vegetables, vitamin K can also be found in fish, meat, liver, and egg yolks.
The main function of vitamin K is to help the blood clotting process. If the body lacks vitamin K, the blood will be difficult to clot. As a result, people who are deficient in vitamin K will easily bleed. Vitamin K deficiency is more common in newborns than adults.
Vitamin K trademarks: Nourish Skin, Nutrimax Complete Multivitamins & Minerals, Bonesco, Cal-95, Prohem, Vitadion, Vitka Infant.
What is Vitamin K?
| group | Vitamin |
| Category | Over-the-counter and prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Overcoming vitamin K deficiency in newborns and overcoming bleeding due to excess anticoagulant drugs. |
| Used by | Mature |
| Vitamin K for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. This supplement should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether vitamin K can be absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this supplement without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets, injection. |
Precautions Before Using Vitamin K:
- Do not use this medicine if you have a history of allergies to this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of cystic fibrosis or pancreatic disorders, chronic diarrhea, bladder problems, digestive disorders, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, and liver disease, before taking vitamin K.
- Be careful using vitamin K in people who have mechanical heart valves, and the elderly.
- Tell your doctor and check your blood sugar regularly if you have diabetes.
- Tell the doctor if you are undergoing dialysis, so that the dose is adjusted according to the condition.
- Stop taking vitamin K and check with your doctor if you have an allergic reaction or overdose.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Vitamin K
The dose of vitamin K depends on the age and condition of the patient. In adult and adolescent patients suffering from blood clotting disorders, the dose is 2.5-25 mg. The dose may be increased to 25-50 mg and repeated 12-48 hours later.
To prevent bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency, newborns will be given an injection of vitamin K with a dose that is adjusted to the baby's weight and condition. Injections are only given under the supervision of a doctor.
Daily Needs of Vitamin K
Below are the recommended daily vitamin K requirements based on age and gender. These daily needs can be obtained from food, supplements, or a combination of the two.
Daily requirement of vitamin K for children
| Age | Needs (mcg/day) |
| 0-6 months | 2 |
| 7-12 months | 2,5 |
| 1-3 years | 30 |
| 4-8 years | 55 |
| 9-13 years old | 60 |
| 14-18 years old | 75 |
Daily requirement of vitamin K for adults
| Age | Needs (mcg/day) |
| Men aged 19 years and over | 120 |
| Women aged 19 years and over | 90 |
| Pregnant and lactating women (under 19 years old) | 75 |
| Pregnant and lactating women (ages 19-50 years) | 90 |
Interaction of Vitamin K with Other Drugs
Taking vitamin K supplements together with other drugs can cause unwanted interactions. Here are the interactions that occur:
- Lowering blood sugar levels to below normal, if taken with diabetes medications.
- Reduced absorption of vitamin K, if taken with bile acid-binding drugs, such as cholestyramine.
- Decreases the effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs in clotting blood.
- Reduced absorption of vitamin K, if taken with orlistat.
- Decreases the effectiveness of vitamin K, if taken with antibiotics.
How to Take Vitamin K Supplements Correctly
Vitamin and mineral supplements are consumed to complement the body's need for vitamins and minerals, especially when the intake of vitamins and minerals from food cannot meet the body's needs. Keep in mind, supplements are only used as a complement to the body's nutritional needs, not as a substitute for nutrients from food.
There are several conditions that require the intake of supplements, such as being stricken with a disease, or taking drugs that can interfere with the metabolism of vitamins and minerals.
If using an over-the-counter vitamin K supplement, use it according to the instructions on the package. Vitamin K supplements can be taken before or after meals.
When taking vitamin K supplements that come with a doctor's prescription, take them as directed by your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dose and time of use of the drug.
Side Effects and Dangers of Vitamin K
Vitamin K very rarely causes side effects, especially when taken in recommended doses. However, in some cases, this supplement can cause side effects such as:
- Easy to sweat
- Taste disturbance
- Blue lips
- Dizzy as if about to faint
- Hard to breathe
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
If you experience the above complaints, immediately go to the ER or check with a doctor to get treatment.