Oral anticoagulants - Coumarin derivatives

COUMARIN DERIVATIVES

  • Coumarin is normally present in some species of sweet clover and has no anticoagulant activity.
  • The derivatives of coumarin namely dicumarol (bishydroxy coumarin) and warfarin are coumarin derivatives.
  • Warfarin sodium is the drug of choice and is the prototype coumarin derivative anticoagulant.
  • Coumarin derivatives are used as oral anticoagulants.
  • They are vitamin K antagonists.
  • They take about 8 – 12 hours to produce their action.
  • They are widely used in secondary prophylactic treatment of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
  • Aspirin, cimetitidine, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, cotrimoxazole, metronidazole and disulfiram increase the response to anticoagulants.
Last modified: Wednesday, 25 April 2012, 11:59 AM