Overanticoagulation associated with combined use of lactulose and coumarin anticoagulants

Some medical textbooks on drug interactions take note of the potential interaction between laxatives and coumarin anticoagulants, but epidemiological evidence that this interaction is of practical importance is lacking. We conducted a follow-up study in a large population-based cohort to investigate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of clinical pharmacology 2004-04, Vol.57 (4), p.522-524
Main Authors: Visser, LE, Penning-Van Beest, FJ, Wilson, J H, Vulto, A G, Kasbergen, A A, De Smet, PA, Hofman, A, Stricker, B H
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Some medical textbooks on drug interactions take note of the potential interaction between laxatives and coumarin anticoagulants, but epidemiological evidence that this interaction is of practical importance is lacking. We conducted a follow-up study in a large population-based cohort to investigate which laxatives are associated with overanticoagulation during therapy with coumarins. Of the 1124 patients in the cohort, 351 developed an International Normalized Ratio greater than or equal to 6.0. The only laxative with a moderate but significantly increased relative risk of overanticoagulation was lactulose (relative risk 3.4, 95% confidence interval 2.2, 5.3). In view of the widespread use of lactulose, especially among the elderly, awareness of this potential drug interaction is required.
ISSN:0306-5251
1365-2125
DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2125.2003.02036.x