Warfarin users: Be careful with antibiotics

Warfarin is a commonly used drug for patients with circulatory diseases such as coronary stenosis, atrial fibrillation or heart valve replacement... However, if during treatment, the patient takes antibiotics with Warfarin will lead to drug interactions that increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, patients need to be especially careful when using it.

Some antibiotics, in which intravenous cephalosporin can inhibit the action of vitamin K in the patient's body, or if high doses of penicillin are used, can also inhibit vitamin K, thereby reducing vitamin K. amount of vitamin K present in the human body.
For patients with atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, lower extremity venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, who have had heart valve replacement surgery or coronary stents, they will be treated with the anticoagulant Warfarin, If this process is used with antibiotics, it can cause a lot of bleeding and needs to be managed closely. Some recommendations suggest that patients who take Warfarin continuously and are exposed to antibiotics for 15 days have a 2-fold increased risk of bleeding compared with patients who do not take antibiotics and need to be hospitalized for support. medical assistance as soon as possible.

Interaction of anticoagulants Warfarin is a common clinical condition, so close health monitoring during drug use is imperative. Patients need to be maintained at a dose of Warfarin high enough to prevent thrombosis, while ensuring that bleeding does not occur, which is one of the challenges in outpatient Warfarin treatment.

Studies around the world have shown that Azole antifungal drugs and antibiotics can increase the risk of bleeding for 2 weeks in patients being treated with Warfarin. This interaction occurs to different degrees with each different drug, in which the most severe interaction can be seen when using the drug with the antifungal drug Azole, followed by the antibiotics of the group. Cephalosporins, Penicillins, Macrolides, Quinolones.
Therefore, patients should be checked periodically by measuring Prothrombin time with the international normalized ratio INR, usually INR 2 - 3 is reasonable for patients taking Warfarin, but also depends heavily on Each clinical situation is different. Some antibiotics can cause this level to rise or fall, which can lead to dangerous bleeding risks for the patient.
When taking antibiotics with Warfarin, there may be an increased chance of blood thinning and bleeding in the body. For example, Rifampicin increases the risk of blood clots forming in the body. Therefore, if the patient is prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection, it is necessary to inform the treating doctor to manage the antibiotic with Warfarin in the safest way.
Because of the unpredictable effects of antibiotics on other agents, including Warfarin, patients should be managed with Warfarin antibiotics by the treating physician to prevent interactions. of the anticoagulant Warfarin with other drugs.
Therefore, when using antibiotics in combination with any medicine, patients need to consult with doctors and pharmacists. Taking the right medicine in the right dose and purpose always brings good results in terms of health.

Vinmec International General Hospital is currently a quality medical care address, with a team of well-trained staff, doctors and experts in domestic and foreign environments. Along with that is high quality medical services, advanced facilities system to help bring customers the best examination and treatment conditions.
Therefore, when there are any health problems or want to consult a doctor or pharmacist about taking medicine, customers can go to Vinmec hospital at the nearest facility for advice.