Alternative therapy interaction with warfarin: what doctors should know

Abstract

Warfarin effectiveness and safety is substantially affected by concurrent therapy. This paper reviews the main mechanisms of warfarin interactions with other agents, which underlie adverse effect development: platelet dysfunction, gastro-intestinal effects, suppressed intestinal synthesis of vitamin K, disturbed warfarin metabolism, or disrupted vitamin K cycle. The main medication groups, affecting warfarin effectiveness and safety, are presented. The effects of foods, supplements, and herbal medications on anticoagulant effect of warfarin are discussed.

Keywords

• warfarin
• concurrent therapy
• interaction with foods and herbal medications
• inr control