Warfarin with Capsaicin Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Warfarin
- Coumadin®
- Jantoven®
- Warfarin
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 07, 2023
Interaction Effect
Increased risk of bleeding
Interaction Summary
Theoretically, concurrent use of capsaicin with antiplatelet agents may increase the risk of bleeding. Thais, who regularly consume capsicum, had a lower fibrinogen level than Americans. Capsicum increased fibrinolytic activity in Thais . Platelet aggregation was inhibited in rat platelets treated with capsaicin . The clinical significance of capsaicin's effect on platelet aggregation and fibrinolytic activity is unknown. Until the potential interaction is better understood, caution is advised if capsaicin is taken with antiplatelet agents .
Severity
Moderate
Onset
Unspecified
Evidence
Theoretical
How To Manage Interaction
Signs and symptoms of excessive bleeding should be monitored closely if capsaicin and anticoagulants are taken concomitantly. It is advisable to discontinue appreciable intake of capsaicin (or large amounts of red pepper) prior to administration of anticoagulants.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Capsaicin may inhibit platelet aggregation and enhance fibrinolytic activity
Literature Reports
A) Daily capsicum ingestion has been associated with diminished fibrinolytic activity in Thais. An experimental group of Thai medical students (n equal to 16) were given two teaspoons of ground fresh capsicum (Capsicum frutescens) with 200 grams of noodles and compared with subjects who ingested the same amount of noodles without capsicum (n equal to 4). Fibrinolytic activity as measured by euglobulin lysis time (ELT) was significantly shortened (p equal to 0.005) immediately after the meal but the effect lasted for less than 30 minutes in the 16 subjects who ingested capsicum. Fibrinogen levels did not change significantly .
B) Euglobulin lysis time (ELT) in 88 Thai subjects (mean +/- SD equal to 167 +/- 66.84 minutes) was significantly lower than in 55 American Caucasians (mean +/- SD equal to 254 +/- 126.70 minutes) (p less than 0.001). Fibrinogen levels were 250.7 +/- 84.27 mg/100 mL in Thais who regularly consume capsicum with meals, versus 292.3 +/- 88.28 mg/100mL for Americans (p less than 0.01) .
Warfarin Overview
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Warfarin is used to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger in your blood and blood vessels. It is prescribed for people with certain types of irregular heartbeat, people with prosthetic (replacement or mechanical) heart valves, and people who have suffered a heart attack. Warfarin is also used to treat or prevent venous thrombosis (swelling and blood clot in a vein) and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lung). Warfarin is in a class of medications called anticoagulants ('blood thinners'). It works by decreasing the clotting ability of the blood.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.