Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (Jan 2022)

Non-vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants and Drug-Food Interactions: Implications for Clinical Practice and Potential Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics

  • Ana Sánchez-Fuentes,
  • José Miguel Rivera-Caravaca,
  • José Miguel Rivera-Caravaca,
  • Raquel López-Gálvez,
  • Francisco Marín,
  • Vanessa Roldán

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2021.787235
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are a therapeutic option to prevent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In fact, NOACs have become the recommended choice by international clinical practice guidelines over vitamin K antagonists (VKA), because of their efficacy and safety profile, especially in newly initiated patients. The more predictable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of this family of drugs allows preventing anticoagulation drug monitoring. Furthermore, NOACs have significantly fewer drug and food interactions in comparison with VKAs. Despite this, there are no studies that compare the effects on the quality of anticoagulation of NOACs with the intake of potential interactions drugs of P-glycoprotein and cytochrome P450 (CYP). This review brings an overview of NOACs pharmacokinetics profile and their potential drug-food interactions. We also briefly discuss the potential role of prebiotics and probiotics in patients under therapy with NOACs.

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