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Effect of influenza vaccine on warfarin anticoagulation
Author(s) -
Kramer Paul,
Tsuru Masanobu,
Cook C Edgar,
McClain Craig J,
Holtzman Jordan L
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1984.52
Subject(s) - warfarin , medicine , influenza vaccine , intensive care medicine , virology , vaccination , atrial fibrillation
Recent studies have indicated that viral infections, influenza vaccination, or drugs that increase interferon synthesis all decrease hepatic drug metabolism. We report a case in which influenza vaccination was temporally related to an increased anticoagulant effect of warfarin. A prospective study evaluating the effect of influenza vaccination on the prothrombin time of eight patients anticoagulated over the long term showed that there was prolongation of prothrombin time of 40%. In a second study, the effect of influenza vaccination on warfarin t½ was determined in healthy subjects. No significant effect on warfarin metabolism was observed after vaccination. We conclude that influenza vaccination is associated with increased anticoagulant response in some patients receiving anticoagulants over a long term. This effect appears to be related to some step in the coagulation pathway and not to decreased warfarin metabolism and a subsequent rise in serum concentration. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1984) 35, 416–418; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1984.52