Increasing warfarin dosage reductions associated with concurrent warfarin and repeated cycles of 5-Fluorouracil therapy

Concurrent use of warfarin and 5-fluorouracil has resulted in elevated international normalized ratios (INRs). Although this drug interaction is well established in the literature, we found no documented cases that address its effects on anticoagulation parameters in patients requiring repeated cycles of 5-fluorouracil and continuous warfarin therapy. We describe the effect of multiple cycles of 5-fluorouracil administration in a patient receiving warfarin therapy. The patient's INR increased 11-14 days after each cycle of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin. In addition, she required additive reductions of 33-42% in her weekly warfarin dose with each chemotherapy cycle to maintain a therapeutic INR (goal range 2.0-3.0). After three cycles of chemotherapy over a 10-week period, the patient's dosage requirements returned to her baseline level (before treatment with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin had started). Pertinent literature was reviewed to provide supporting evidence for the mechanism and clinical implications of the drug interaction. Based on this report and previous case reports, caution is advised when concurrent warfarin and 5-fluorouracil are prescribed. In addition, patients should be closely monitored for a possible delayed interaction that may occur with each repeated cycle of 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.