Warfarin with fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, or azole antifungals: interactions and the risk of hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Nov;84(5):581-8. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2008.150. Epub 2008 Aug 6.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether a potential pharmacokinetic interaction between warfarin and orally administered anti-infectives increases the risk of hospitalization for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in warfarin users. We conducted a nested case-control and case-crossover study using US Medicaid data. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between GI bleeding and prior use of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, co-trimoxazole, or fluconazole vs. no exposure and also vs. use of cephalexin, which would not be expected to interact with warfarin. All of the anti-infectives examined were associated with elevated odds ratios (ORs) when compared to no exposure to these drugs. With cephalexin data as the reference, the ORs for co-trimoxazole (OR: 1.68 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21-2.33) in the prior 6-10 days) and fluconazole (OR: 2.09 (95% CI: 1.34-3.26) in the prior 11-15 days) were significantly elevated. Warfarin users who had received an anti-infective agent showed a substantially increased risk of GI bleeding. However, a drug-drug interaction with warfarin was evident only for co-trimoxazole and fluconazole.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects*
  • Azoles / administration & dosage
  • Azoles / adverse effects*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Fluoroquinolones / administration & dosage
  • Fluoroquinolones / adverse effects*
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk
  • Sulfonamides / administration & dosage
  • Sulfonamides / adverse effects*
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage
  • Warfarin / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anticoagulants
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Azoles
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Sulfonamides
  • Warfarin