Warfarin with Glucagon Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Warfarin
- Coumadin®
- Jantoven®
- Warfarin
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 07, 2023
Interaction Effect
An increased risk of bleeding
Interaction Summary
Treatment with both glucagon and warfarin may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Monitor patients for unusual bruising or bleeding, as adjustments in warfarin dosage may be required. Large daily doses of glucagon have been shown to increase the hypoprothrombinemic effect of warfarin, resulting in bleeding episodes .
Severity
Major
Onset
Delayed
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Treatment with both glucagon and warfarin may increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. Monitor patients for unusual bruising or bleeding, as adjustments in warfarin dosage may be required.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Unknown
Literature Reports
A) Twenty-four patients with heart failure who received warfarin and glucagon were retrospectively studied. Thirteen of these patients were administered glucagon in doses of 50 mg or more over two days, and eight of them exhibited excessive inhibition of prothrombin activity. Three patients had evidence of a bleeding episode. However, it must be noted that the majority of these patients were receiving multiple drugs, some of which may have contributed to the alteration of prothrombin time. Smaller doses of glucagon (30 mg) did not appear to interfere with the efficacy of warfarin .
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.