What is phytonadione, and what is it used for?
Phytonadione is the generic name for vitamin K1 (also called phylloquinone). It is a form of vitamin K the body needs to make clotting factors, which help blood clot properly [1].
Clinically, phytonadione is used to treat or prevent conditions where vitamin K is low, such as bleeding caused by vitamin K deficiency, including in certain newborns [1][2].
How does phytonadione work?
Vitamin K is required for the activation of clotting proteins (clotting factors). When vitamin K is deficient, those clotting factors don’t work correctly, which can lead to abnormal bleeding. Phytonadione supplies vitamin K1 so the liver can make functional clotting factors again [1].
Is phytonadione the same as vitamin K supplements?
Yes—phytonadione is vitamin K1. People sometimes use “vitamin K” generically, but there are different forms (for example, K1 vs. K2). Phytonadione specifically refers to vitamin K1 [1].
What form does phytonadione come in?
Phytonadione is available as pharmaceutical vitamin K1. It can be given by clinicians for medical treatment depending on the situation (for example, vitamin K deficiency with bleeding risk) [1][2].
How fast does it work?
The timeline depends on the cause and route of administration, but phytonadione works by restoring clotting factor activity, so improvement is expected after the body can use vitamin K to rebuild functional clotting factors [1].
What precautions matter for phytonadione?
The main safety consideration is that vitamin K can affect blood-thinning medicines that work by interfering with the vitamin K pathway. For patients taking warfarin or similar therapies, dosing decisions must be clinician-directed so clotting and bleeding risks are balanced [1].
Sources
[1] https://www.drugs.com/monograph/phytonadione.html
[2] https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=phytonadione&start=1