Herbal remedies and anticoagulant therapy

Thromb Haemost. 2005 Jan;93(1):3-7. doi: 10.1160/TH04-05-0285.

Abstract

Herbal remedies, considered to be both safe and effective by most consumers, may interact with conventional drugs. Warfarin, a vitamin K antagonist originally derived from the sweet clover plant, has a narrow therapeutic window which can be monitored using prothrombin international normalized ratios (PT-INR). Many herbs can increase the risk for bleeding when combined with warfarin, either by augmenting the anticoagulant effects of the drug (with increased PT-INR levels) or through intrinsic anti-platelet properties (without altering PT-INR levels). The increased risk for bleeding among such patients may be difficult to predict, especially when formulas which contain many herbs are used. Further research into herb-drug interactions is warranted, as are guidelines for the use of herbal remedies by patients on chronic anticoagulation therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Coagulation / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Herb-Drug Interactions*
  • Humans
  • Plants, Medicinal / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal