Key result
Erythromycin triggers a markedly enhanced warfarin response that normalizes upon withdrawal.
Why the study?
A potentially serious interaction between erythromycin and warfarin can occur in some patients, but clinical evidence is limited.
Does concomitant administration of erythromycin enhance the anticoagulant response to warfarin in patients on stable warfarin therapy?
Case Report (n=1)
Does concomitant administration of erythromycin enhance the anticoagulant response to warfarin in patients on stable warfarin therapy?
Concomitant use of erythromycin can cause a potentially serious enhancement of warfarin's anticoagulant effect, requiring careful monitoring.
May potentiate warfarin effect in stable patients; hypothesis-generating case leaves open need for confirmation.
The patient described had a markedly enhanced response to warfarin when he was given erythromycin concomitantly. Before the initiation of erythromycin, his warfarin anticoagulation had been well controlled. After withdrawal of erythromycin, his response to warfarin returned to normal. These findings and previously reported clinical and laboratory data lead to the conclusion that, at least in some patients, a potentially serious interaction between erythromycin and warfarin can occur.
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HASSELL et al. (1985) conducted a case report in Anticoagulation (n=1). Erythromycin concomitant with warfarin vs. Warfarin alone was evaluated on Response to warfarin. Concomitant administration of erythromycin in a patient on well-controlled warfarin led to a markedly enhanced response to warfarin, which normalized upon erythromycin withdrawal.
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