Another question for Al

[Rich]

Al and others,
As I mentioned in my previous post today regarding cough lozenges, my INR is going down again.
Maybe it is from the cough lozenges as the article suggests, because I have used a lot of them in the last several weeks.
But I have also been taking Nexium for acid-reflux.
I have been using it as needed after taking it for about ninety days straight.
The question I can't seem to get an answer for is will it raise or lower my INR?
I am aware there is an interaction, just don't know what to expect.
Rich

 

[Ross]

I'm not Al, but I would presume it to lower it. Teach us Master.

 

[Guest]

All that I could find was that the interaction seemed to be insignificant and unlikely to produce any ill effects.

That was at the enzymes in the liver level.

However, my experience has been that if you do something to the gastrointestinal tract, you are likely to screw up warfarin. We could probably write this up and get a "first" in Annals of Pharmacotherapy. (See Rich's other thread)

My guess is that a "slight" interaction day after day for a month has probably caused a lower INR.

 

[Rich]

Thanks Al,
That was my guess, I think the cough lozenges story was just a little far fetched.
Rich

 

[RCB]

Second that!

Second that!

However, my experience has been that if you do something to the gastrointestinal tract, you are likely to screw up warfarin.

For the last 6 weeks my GI tract has been acting up. I had a burning pain and bad cramps. When I went to my Internist to rule out diverticulous, he said it was most likely a stomach virus. Advise to eat no dairy, more bananas
and rice. Slowly, my GI tract has improved, but my INR has drifted to the low end of my range at 2.5 to 2.9 (target is 2.5-3.5). For the last year or so, I have tried to keep it between 3.3 and 3.8. I love being able to test at home
to be able to tracK this! Just wish the tests were cheaper and more accurate.