Warfarin Institute of America
DEDICATED TO YOUR HEALTH SINCE 2000
Can I get a Tattoo While Taking Warfarin?
Rebecca Muñiz, Pharm D. Candidate
University of Colorado School of Pharmacy
To put it simply, warfarin increases the amount of time your blood takes to clot; therefore, if a person gets a tattoo while taking warfarin, it may bleed longer and take longer to heal.
There are no rules saying that a person can or cannot get a tattoo while on warfarin, but it is important to know what to expect. Whenever a person gets a tattoo, there is a certain degree of bleeding to be expected, depending on the artist and the size and detail of the tattoo. When a tattoo takes longer to clot, there is an increased chance of it becoming infected and may require more attention and care to prevent this, such as use of ointment and dressing changes for a prolonged period of time. It may be a good idea to get an INR test to assure you are not above the therapeutic range before getting the tattoo to avoid any unnecessary bleeding.
Weighing the risks and benefits of getting a tattoo, it is much more beneficial to continue taking the warfarin while getting the tattoo than to stop the warfarin and risk forming a dangerous clot. A slightly longer bleeding and healing time for a tattoo is a more favorable outcome than a possible clot formation.
There have been two patients at the St. Mary-Corwin Coumadin Clinic who have received tattoos while therapeutic on warfarin. One patient had a tattoo on the back of his neck and the other had eyeliner tattooed on twice. Neither patient had any complaints.
Each individual must decide for themselves if the benefits outweigh the risks. If any uncertainty remains, talk it over with your healthcare provider.
©2006 Rebecca Muñiz
Editor's Note: If you would like to e-mail your experiences about having a tattoo done while taking warfarin please send them to allodwick@earthlink.net
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Last updated May 8, 2006