CMAJ • April 25, 2006; 174 (9). doi:10.1503/cmaj.051191.
© 2006 CMA Media Inc. or its licensors
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Research

Research Letter

Warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla

Robert Segal and Louise Pilote

From the Divisions of General Internal Medicine (Pilote, Segal) and Clinical Epidemiology (Pilote), Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Que.

Correspondence to: Dr. Louise Pilote, Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar Ave., Rm. L10-421, Montréal QC H3G 1A4; fax 514 934-8293; louise.pilote{at}mcgill.ca

No cases have been reported of Matricaria chamomilla potentiating the effects of warfarin. Nevertheless there is a theoretical risk for potentiation, since the herb is thought to be a coumarin constituent. We describe the case of a 70-year-old woman who, while being treated with warfarin, was admitted to hospital with multiple internal hemorrhages after having used chamomile products (tea and body lotion) to soothe upper respiratory tract symptoms. Patient education on the potential risk of taking chamomile products while being treated with warfarin is necessary to avoid such occurrences.




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