Vitamin K

Vitamin K

Question 1. Write A Short Note On Vitamin K.
Answer:

Vitamin K promotes coagulation and is used in the hemorrhagic states.

Types Of Vitamin K

• Vitamin K1 (from plants): Phylloquinone
• Vitamin K3 (Synthetic)
• Fat-soluble: Menadione, acetomenaphthone
• Water soluble: Menadione sodium bisulfate, menadione sodium diphosphate.

Vitamin K Action

It acts as a cofactor for γ carboxylation of the glutamic acid residue of clotting factors as well as osteocalcin. Vitamin K participates in the coagulation cascade.

Main Deficiency Disorders

• Hemorrhagic tendencies, i.e. epistaxis, bleeding gums, etc.
• Hypoprothrombinemia.

Vitamin K Therapeutic Doses

• Oral
  • Menaclione sodium diphosphate: 5 mg
  • Menadione sodium bisulfite: 2–5 mg.
• Parenteral
  • Menadione sodium diphosphate: 5–75 mg IM or SC
  • Menadione sodium bisulfite: 2–5 mg IM or SC.

Vitamin K Adverse Effects

Adverse reactions are seen on parenteral administration—allergic reactions and jaundice can occur.

Vitamin K Uses

• In the treatment of vitamin K deficiency
• Newborn babies lack intestinal flora and have low levels of prothrombin and other clotting factors. Routine administration of vitamin K 1 mg IM prevents hemorrhagic disease in the newborn.
• In the treatment of oral anticoagulant poisoning.

Question 2. Explain Why Warfarin Is Used As An Anticoagulant.
Answer:

Warfarin acts as an anticoagulant because they act by interfering with the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver by inhibiting the epoxide reductase enzyme.

They block the carboxylation of glutamate residues in prothrombin, factors VIII, IX and X. Carboxylation is necessary for these factors to participate in coagulation. In this way, it acts as an anticoagulant.