Vitamin K



Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin used in the treatment of Vitamin K deficiency caused by broad-spectrum antibiotics (used to treat infection), cephalosporins (used to treat infection), and prednisone (steroid). It is also supplemented in combination with other vitamins when malabsorption (decreased inability to absorb vitamins, mineral, and nutrients from food) is present. Vitamin K is given, under the supervision of a doctor, to newborn babies to prevent hemorrhage (bleeding) and to patients on blood thinning medicine whose blood has become too thin. Vitamin K has also been used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis (brittle bones). Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is found naturally in leafy green vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, lettuce, parsley, spinach, turnip greens, and water cress), cauliflower, and the vegetable oils from soybean, cottonseed, canola, and olive. Bacteria present in the human bowel produce Vitamin K2. Other names for Vitamin K include: Vitamin K1 or Phylloquinone, Phytonadione, and Phytomenadione; Vitamin K2 or Menatetrenone; Vitamin K3 or Menadione. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.