The mechanism of the interaction between amiodarone and warfarin in humans.

Article Details

Citation

Heimark LD, Wienkers L, Kunze K, Gibaldi M, Eddy AC, Trager WF, O'Reilly RA, Goulart DA

The mechanism of the interaction between amiodarone and warfarin in humans.

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1992 Apr;51(4):398-407.

PubMed ID
1563209 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

Amiodarone decreased the total body clearance of both (R)- and (S)-warfarin in normal subjects but did not change volumes of distribution. Warfarin excretion products were quantified and clearance and formation clearance values calculated. Amiodarone and metabolites inhibited the reduction of (R)-warfarin to (R,S)-warfarin alcohol-1 and the oxidation of both (R)- and (S)-warfarin to phenolic metabolites. Inhibition of warfarin hydroxylation by amiodarone in human liver microsomes was compared with the in vivo results. In agreement, the in vitro data indicates that amiodarone is a general inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 catalyzed oxidation of both enantiomers of warfarin, but the metabolism of (S)-warfarin is more strongly inhibited than that of (R)-warfarin. These data suggest that the enhanced anticoagulant effect observed when amiodarone and warfarin are coadministered is attributable to inhibition of P4502C9, the isozyme of P-450 primarily responsible for the conversion of (S)-warfarin to its major metabolite, (S)-7-hydroxywarfarin.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Enzymes
DrugEnzymeKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
AmiodaroneCytochrome P450 2C9ProteinHumans
Unknown
Inhibitor
Details
Drug Interactions
DrugsInteraction
Acenocoumarol
Amiodarone
The risk or severity of bleeding can be increased when Amiodarone is combined with Acenocoumarol.
Warfarin
Amiodarone
The risk or severity of bleeding can be increased when Amiodarone is combined with Warfarin.