Interaction of sulphinpyrazone with warfarin

Summary The effect of sulphinpyrazone administration on the anticoagulant response was investigated in five patients receiving long-term treatment with warfarin. Sulphinpyrazone caused a rapid increase in prothrombin (PT) ratio in all five patients and warfarin dose had to be reduced by a mean of 46% to maintain the PT ratio in the therapeutic range. PT ratio and daily warfarin requirement returned to previous levels when sulphinpyrazone was ceased. Warfarin protein binding was not altered during sulphinpyrazone administration and sulphinpyrazone added to plasma in vitro did not increase warfarin free fraction. The average racemic plasma warfarin concentration over a dosage interval when adjusted for warfarin dose was not altered by sulphinpyrazone administration. The most likely mechanism for this drug interaction is a stereoselective effect of sulphinpyrazone on the metabolism of the warfarin enantiomers.     

Effect of rosuvastatin on warfarin pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The effect of rosuvastatin on warfarin pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics was assessed in 2 trials. In trial A (a randomized, double-blind, 2-period crossover study), 18 healthy volunteers were given rosuvastatin 40 mg or placebo on demand (o.d.) for 10 days with 1 dose of warfarin 25 mg on day 7. In trial B (an open-label, 2-period study), 7 patients receiving warfarin therapy with stable international normalized ratio values between 2 and 3 were coadministered rosuvastatin 10 mg o.d. for up to 14 days, which increased to rosuvastatin 80 mg if the international normalized ratio values were <3 at the end of this period. The results indicated that rosuvastatin can enhance the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. The mechanism of this drug-drug interaction is unknown. Rosuvastatin had no effect on the total plasma concentrations of the warfarin enantiomers, but the free plasma fractions of the enantiomers were not measured. Appropriate monitoring of the international normalized ratio is indicated when this drug combination is coadministered.     

Effect of montelukast on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy volunteers

Montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, is being developed for the treatment of asthma and related diseases. This study was designed to evaluate whether montelukast at clinically used dosage levels would interfere with the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. In a two-period, double-blind, randomized crossover study, 12 healthy male subjects received a single oral dose of 30 mg warfarin on the 7th day of a 12-day treatment with montelukast, 10 mg daily by mouth, or a placebo. Montelukast had no significant effect on the area under the plasma concentration-time curves and peak plasma concentrations of either R- or S-warfarin. However, slight but statistically significant decreases in time to peak concentration of both warfarin enantiomers and in elimination half-life of the less potent R-warfarin were observed in the presence of montelukast. These changes were not considered as clinically relevant. Montelukast had no significant effect on the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, as assessed by the international normalized ratio (INR) for prothrombin time (AUC0-144 and INR maximum). The results of this study suggest that a clinically important interaction between these drugs is unlikely to occur in patients requiring concomitant administration of both drugs.     

Enantiomers of warfarin and vitamin K1 metabolism.

The effect of the individual enantiomers of warfarin at steady state (1 mg daily) was investigated in five healthy volunteers. Both enantiomers produced a significant increase in prothrombin time, but the increase with S warfarin (1.8 +/- 0.8 s, mean +/- s.d.) was greater than with R warfarin (1.0 +/- 0.3 s), despite lower steady state plasma concentrations of S warfarin, due to its more rapid clearance. Following the administration of vitamin K1, the maximum plasma concentration and area under the plasma concentration time curve values for the metabolite vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide were greater after S warfarin than after R warfarin. The greater anticoagulant potency of S warfarin is reflected by a greater degree of inhibition of vitamin K1 epoxide reductase.     

The effect of warfarin on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of napsagatran in healthy male volunteers

OBJECTIVE: The effect of oral warfarin on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the synthetic direct thrombin inhibitor napsagatran was investigated. METHODS: In an open, randomised, two-way crossover study, 12 healthy male volunteers were infused napsagatran (80 micrograms/min) for 48 h. Each subject was administered 25 mg warfarin (Coumadin) at the start of the infusion in either the first or second treatment period. Sampling was performed regularly over the treatment period and 24 h thereafter for measurement of plasma levels of napsagatran, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT). RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic parameters of napsagatran were not significantly influenced by co-administration of warfarin. Napsagatran administration was followed by increases in APTT and PT. Co-administration of warfarin increased the AUEC (area under the effect curve) calculated for the period 0-48 h (corrected for baseline) for APTT by 45% (95% CI: 28-65%) and for PT by 438% (95% CI: 272-678%) compared to the treatment with napsagatran alone. CONCLUSION: Warfarin has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of napsagatran, but has a marked influence on the pharmacodynamic parameters (APTT, PT) of napsagatran. In clinical practice, this interaction between the two compounds should be taken into account. The PT cannot be used to monitor the effect of oral anticoagulants during the switch from this group of direct thrombin inhibitors to full oral anticoagulant therapy.     

Absence of interaction between tenoxicam and warfarin

Summary The influence of tenoxicam on plasma warfarin concentrations and on its anticoagulant effect has been studied in healthy volunteers. Tenoxicam did not alter the plasma warfarin concentration versus time profile. Treatment with it for 14 days had no effect on the average dose of warfarin required to maintain the prothrombin time within a specified range. The coumarin dose index, an indicator of warfarin sensitivity, remained unchanged during tenoxicam administration. The results demonstrate the lack of a clinically relevant effect of tenoxicam on warfarin-induced anticoagulation.     

Effect of benazepril, a converting enzyme inhibitor, on plasma levels and activity of acenocoumarol and warfarin

The effect of benazepril (CGS 14824), 20 mg/day orally, on the steady-state pharmaco-dynamics and plasma levels of the anticoagulants, warfarin and acenocoumarol, was studied in healthy volunteers. The anticoagulant activity of acenocoumarol was not affected by benazepril; there was an apparent slight but statistically significant reduction of the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. The magnitude of the inhibitory effect was considered not to be clinically important. There was no effect of benazepril on plasma steady-state levels of either anticoagulants.     

Disposition of warfarin enantiomers and metabolites in patients during multiple dosing with rac-warfarin.

1. The disposition of warfarin enantiomers and metabolites has been studied in 36 patients receiving chronic rac-warfarin therapy, titrated to approximately the same anticoagulant response. 2. A stereoselective h.p.l.c. assay was employed to determine the concentrations of (R)- and (S)-warfarin, (R,S)-warfarin alcohol and (S)-7-hydroxywarfarin in plasma and 24 h urine samples. The concentrations of (R)-7-hydroxywarfarin, (S,S)-warfarin alcohol and (R)-6- and (S)-6-hydroxywarfarin were also determined in urine samples. The fractions unbound of warfarin enantiomers were determined using equilibrium dialysis. 3. Wide variability was observed in daily dose requirements (mean 6.1 mg; range: 2.5-12 mg), in plasma concentrations of (S)-warfarin (0.48 mg l(-1); 0.11-1.02 mg l(-1)), (R)-warfarin (0.87 mg l(-1); 0.29-1.82 mg l(-1)), (R,S)-warfarin alcohol (0.31 mg l(-1); 0.02-0.72 mg l(-1)) and (S)-7-hydroxywarfarin (0.25 mg l(-1); 0.07-0.37 mg l(-1)) and the percentage unbound of (S)-warfarin (0.53%; 0.29%-0.82%) and (R)-warfarin (0.54%; 0.26%-0.96%). 4. The mean plasma clearances of warfarin enantiomers were 7.5 1 day-1 per 70 kg (2.5-22.1) for (S)-warfarin and 3.6 1 day-1 per 70 kg (1.6-8.8) for (R)-warfarin. There was a significant correlation between the estimated formation clearance of (S)-7-hydroxywarfarin and the clearance of (S)-warfarin, which accounted for much of the variability in the latter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin at steady state.

1 The relationship between warfarin dose, total and free plasma warfarin concentration, and anticoagulant effect was examined at several steady-state levels in fifteen patients during withdrawal of warfarin therapy. 2 Total plasma clearance was significantly correlated with the free fraction in plasma (r=0.955). 3 There was an age related decline in the dose of warfarin, and in the total and free plasma warfarin concentrations required to produce the same anticoagulant effect. However, neither total nor free plasma warfarin clearances varied with age. 4 Individual patients' log concentration-effect relationships were linear above a prothrombin ratio of 1.2 and there was a significant correlation (r=-0.586) between the slope and the free fraction of warfarin in plasma. It is suggested that plasma protein binding may reflect the interaction between warfarin and its effector site in the hepatocyte.     

The stereoselective effects of bucolome on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of racemic warfarin

The objective of this study was to investigate the stereoselective influence of bucolome on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in Japanese inpatients with heart disease. Thirty patients were administered a fixed-maintenance dose of warfarin alone once a day for at least 7 days. The other 25 patients were concomitantly administered warfarin and a 300 mg dose of bucolome once a day, and blood samples were collected on days 1, 4, 7, 14, or 21 after administration of bucolome. Serum concentration of warfarin enantiomers was measured by a chiral reversed-phase HPLC-ultraviolet detection method. The PT-INR was used as a measure of the pharmacodynamic effect of warfarin. Coadministration of bucolome and warfarin had no effect on serum (R)-warfarin concentration and significantly increased serum (S)-warfarin concentration compared with warfarin alone. The PT-INR of warfarin alone was significantly lower with bucolome cotreatment. These results indicate that the augmented anticoagulant effect of warfarin by bucolome is due to inhibition of (S)-warfarin metabolism in vivo. When bucolome is added to a stabilized regimen of warfarin therapy, the dose of warfarin should be reduced by about 30% to 60%, and caution should be exercised during the first 7 days after coadministration of bucolome.     

Age as a determinant of sensitivity to warfarin.

1 Parallel human and rat studies were carried out to confirm the previous suggestion of an increased sensitivity to warfarin in old age. 2 The anticoagulant response to warfarin was found to be greater in the elderly groups despite, in the case of the patient study, the elderly subjects being given a smaller weight-related dose. 3 At the same plasma warfarin concentrations there was greater inhibition of vitamin K-dependent clotting factor synthesis in the elderly. There was no difference in the rate of clotting factor degradation in the two age groups. 4 There was no appreciable difference in warfarin pharmacokinetics (plasma half-life, apparent volume of distribution, plasma clearance, plasma protein binding or plasma warfarin alcohol levels) in the two age groups. 5 There appeared to be no major age-related differences in warfarin pharmacokinetics and the increased effect of warfarin in the elderly seemed to result from an increased intrinsic sensitivity to warfarin.     

Effect of gemfibrozil on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of racemic warfarin in healthy subjects

AIMS: Case reports suggest that gemfobrozil can increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Because gemfibrozil inhibits CYP2C9 in vitro, we studied its effects on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of racemic warfarin. METHODS: In a randomized cross-over study, 10 healthy subjects ingested 600 mg gemfibrozil or placebo twice daily for 8 days. On day 3, they were administered a single dose of 10 mg racemic R-S-warfarin orally. The concentrations of R- and S-warfarin in plasma and thromboplastin time were monitored up to 168 h. RESULTS: Gemfibrozil decreased the mean (+/-SD) area under the plasma concentration-time curve [AUC((0-infinity))] of S-warfarin by 11%, from 19.9 +/- 5.2 mg l(-1) h to 17.6 +/- 4.7 mg l(-1) h (95% CI on the difference -3.7, -0.78; P < 0.01) and that of R-warfarin by 6% from 31.3 +/- 7.5 mg l(-1) h during the gemfibrozil phase to 29.5 +/- 6.9 mg l(-1) h during the placebo phase (95% CI -3.3, -0.33; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the elimination half-lives of S- or R-warfarin between the phases. Gemfibrozil did not alter the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. CONCLUSION: Unexpectedly, gemfibrozil slightly decreased the plasma concentrations of R- and S-warfarin. Displacement of warfarin from plasma albumin by gemfibrozil or its interference with the absorption of warfarin could explain the present findings. Usual therapeutic doses of gemfibrozil seem to have limited effects on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of single dose warfarin in healthy subjects.     

The effect of pirmenol administration on the anti-coagulant activity of warfarin

The effect of administration of pirmenol, an extensively metabolized and plasma protein-bound antiarrhythmic agent, was evaluated in ten patients on chronic warfarin therapy. After a 3-week baseline period and 7 days of placebo administration, patients received 150 mg of oral pirmenol every 12 hours for 14 days. Prothrombin time was determined during the baseline and placebo periods, during pirmenol administration, and 14 days after the last pirmenol dose (washout). There was no significant difference between mean baseline, placebo, pirmenol, and washout prothrombin times. Coadministration of pirmenol does not appear to affect the anticoagulant activity of warfarin.     

Mechanism for potentiation of warfarin by phenylbutazone. Inhibition of vitamin K-dependent carboxylation and prothrombin synthesis by phenylbutazone in preparations from rat liver

Phenylbutazone potentiated the anticoagulant effects of racemic warfarin and of the individual enantiomers to similar extents in the rat. This indicates that the phenylbutazone did not act stereospecifically on the enantiomers, as it does in humans. Phenylbutazone doubled the turnover rate of warfarin in plasma, but it did not increase the amount of the anticoagulant in liver or the amount excreted in urine. The drug had no effect on plasma disappearance of [3H] or on hepatic levels of [3H] vitamin K1 or of its chief metabolite, [3H] vitamin K1 epoxide, after injection of [3H] vitamin K1. Phenylbutazone, however, at concentrations of 0.5 to 2.8 mM inhibited vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of a synthetic pentapeptide substrate in liver microsomes by 40-88 per cent. Vitamin K-dependent protein carboxylation was also inhibited by about 40 per cent in microsomes and post-mitochondrial supernatant fluid at drug concentrations of 2.8 to 4.8 mM. Most importantly, prothrombin synthesis was inhibited in post-mitochondrial supernatant fractions by 19 and 39 per cent at drug concentrations of 2.8 and 4.8 mM respectively. The inhibition of both carboxylation and prothrombin synthesis appears to have been of sufficient magnitude to account for the potentiation by phenylbutazone observed in vivo. The calculated hepatic level of phenylbutazone during potentiation was around 3 mM, a concentration that produced inhibition in vitro.     

Effect of rutin on warfarin anticoagulation and pharmacokinetics of warfarin enantiomers in rats

Objectives The effects of the flavonoid rutin on the anticoagulant activity of oral warfarin and the protein binding and pharmacokinetics of its enantiomers were investigated in rats. Methods A single dose of racemic warfarin, 1.5 mg/kg, was administered orally to rats either alone or on day 5 of an 8‐day oral regimen of rutin, 1 g/kg daily. Results Rutin reduced the anticoagulant effect of racemic warfarin, evident as a 31% reduction in the area under the prothrombin complex activty–time curve (P < 0.05). Key findings Rutin had no apparent effect on pre‐treatment baseline blood coagulation. It enhanced the in‐vitro serum protein binding of S‐ and R‐warfarin (reflected by 40% and 26% reductions in unbound fraction, respectively), and thus restricted distribution by 33 and 21%, respectively. Treatment with rutin significantly decreased the elimination half‐life of S‐warfarin by 37% as a result of the 69% increase in unbound clearance of the S‐enantiomer. This effect was attributed to a significant 77% increase in the unbound formation clearance of the overall oxidative and reductive metabolites, and an increase in the unbound renal clearance of the more potent S‐enantiomer of warfarin. Conclusions Concurrent rutin administration is likely to reduce the anticoagulant effect of racemic warfarin, reflecting a significant decrease in the elimination half‐life of the more potent S‐enantiomer.     

A study of the interaction of omeprazole and warfarin in anticoagulated patients.

1. Thirty-five patients on continuous therapy with warfarin were given omeprazole 20 mg once daily and placebo each for 3 weeks according to a two-centre randomised double-blind cross-over design. 2. Blood samples were obtained once weekly during the run-in and follow-up periods as well as during the first 2 weeks of each treatment period, and twice during the last week of each treatment period. Plasma concentrations of R- and S-warfarin were measured by h.p.l.c. and the anticoagulant effect was assessed using the Trombotest. 3. Twenty-eight patients were evaluated. The mean plasma concentration of R-warfarin was increased by 9.5% during omeprazole treatment compared with placebo, while that of S-warfarin, the more active isomer, was unaffected. The coagulation time was not significantly changed (106 s during omeprazole and 98 s during placebo). Corresponding TT-values (Trombotest) were 8.8 and 9.9 (NS).     

Cimetidine does not increase the anticoagulant effect of phenprocoumon.

In patients on oral warfarin, nicoumalone and phenindione an increase of the anticoagulant effect has been described during concomitant treatment with cimetidine. Therefore we have investigated the effect of cimetidine on the steady state dynamics of phenprocoumon in ten outpatients. No changes in the anticoagulant effect and the plasma phenprocoumon levels were observed during and after 2 weeks application of cimetidine. The data show that cimetidine does not interact with the metabolism of phenprocoumon in contrast to warfarin.     

Intentional warfarin overdose

Warfarin toxicity is common and usually results from dose changes or drug interactions. There are few reported cases of intentional overdose. The management of warfarin overdose is usually complicated by the patient using warfarin therapeutically, often for a mechanical heart valve or pulmonary embolus prophylaxis. Untreated patients have a significant bleeding risk, but treatment carries a significant risk of complete reversal of anticoagulation and consequent risk of thrombosis. The objective of this study was to describe warfarin overdoses and complications of treatment and develop a safe approach to management. Three patients are described. Two patients received a single 10-mg dose of vitamin K. Both required anticoagulation, and in one, warfarin resistance persisted for 2 weeks. In a third patient serial INR, factor levels and warfarin concentrations were measured, and incremental doses of vitamin K (up to 7.5 mg) were given based on INR. This patient did not require anticoagulation, and regular warfarin therapy was recommenced after 4 days. Patients intentionally overdosing on warfarin can be classified into three groups based on preexisting indications for warfarin: nontherapeutic, moderate risk, and major risk for thromboembolic complications. All patients should have regular INR measurements (6-hourly) to catch rapid rises. Patients not on warfarin therapeutically can be given 10 mg of vitamin K1 and repeat INRs as an outpatient. Titrating intravenous vitamin K with doses of 0.5 to 2.0 mg when INR > 5 is appropriate to reduce INR without causing warfarin resistance. The high-risk group must be kept anticoagulated, and warfarin resistance avoided.     

Investigation of patients with abnormal response to warfarin.

In 55 patients in whom warfarin control had been satisfactory for at least 4 months, warfarin dose, plasma warfarin concentration and plasma clearance were measured. The mean dose to maintain the BCR (INR) between 2.3 and 3.3 was 5.1 +/- 2 mg day-1 (range 1.5-10 mg). Plasma warfarin concentrations and warfarin clearance were log-normally distributed with 95% confidence limits between 0.8 and 2.4 mg l-1 and 2.5 and 8.71 day-1 respectively. These confidence limits were used to construct algorithms which correctly predicted the cause of abnormal warfarin sensitivity in two patients and resistance in two further patients. These algorithms should help to identify the cause of abnormal warfarin responsiveness in the clinical setting.     

Stereoselective interaction between the R enantiomer of warfarin and cimetidine.

The stereoselectivity of the pharmacokinetic interaction between warfarin and cimetidine was investigated in eight healthy volunteers. The warfarin enantiomers were given separately as single doses (15 mg) alone and during chronic administration of cimetidine (1 g day-1). Cimetidine did not interact with S warfarin but there was an interaction with the R enantiomer of warfarin. Cimetidine caused a significant increase in the mean plasma half-life of R warfarin (from 47.8 h to 57.8 h) and a significant decrease in its mean plasma clearance (from 2.3 to 1.7 ml h-1 kg-1) (P less than 0.02). Administration of a pharmacological dose of vitamin K1 together with the enantiomers of warfarin was necessary clinically and resulted in elevation of vitamin K1 2,3-epoxide concentrations, which were similar in each case.