Caution when using Warfarin with some prostate cancer drugs

[Charles (Chuck) Maack]

According to this WebMD paper, for patients prescribed the anticoagulant (blood thinner) warfarin there is a long list of medications that both patient and treating doctor must be aware as causing severe to serious to moderate side effects: http://tinyurl.com/qcafmkw

 

Interesting, among them, are several that prostate cancer patients are prescribed including NSAIDs (identified here http://tinyurl.com/nhtjyvh), enzalutamide, corticosteroids (thus prednisone if prescribed abiraterone), acetaminophen, and several others.

 

If you're a patient prescribed warfarin and also prescribed any of the medications listed, best to discuss with your treating doctor in order to watch diagnostics closely if the combination of these medicines with warfarin is necessary.

[alanbarlee]

Thanks Chuck - useful information!

 

Any prostate cancer folk on Warfarin (e.g. those being treated for a heart condition, such as atrial fibrillation) may want to review with their doctors switching to one of the 'new oral anticoagulants' (NOACs), viz dabigatran, rivaroxaban, epixaban (all approved in Australia) and edoxaban (not yet approved).

These new drugs don't require the close attention to INR testing that is needed for Warfarin; they have far fewer interactions with other drugs; and they have few serious side effects. Reversal drugs and protocols are also appearing, in the event that anticoagulation may need to be temporarily closed down for surgery.

 

Alan B