Abstract
Twenty-four patients on long-term anti-coagulant treatment with phenprocoumon (Marcoumar®) took part in a study designed to investigate the possible interaction between phenprocoumon and ibuprofen (Brufen®). Prior to entry into the study, the anti-coagulant state of each patient was adequately controlled on a dose of phenprocoumon which remained unchanged throughout the study.
Under double-blind conditions, half of the total number of patients received ibuprofen 600 mg a day in three divided doses for two weeks followed by two weeks without therapy; then two weeks of placebo, again followed by two weeks without therapy. The other patients received the drugs in the reverse order. The anti-coagulant state was measured using the Thrombotest, the results being expressed as a percentage of the normal.
The results indicated that the effects of a fixed dose of phenprocoumon, as measured by the Thrombotest, did not alter significantly throughout the study, and no serious side-effects were noted. These findings suggest that in general, ibuprofen can safely be given to patients receiving oral anticoagulants without the risk of interfering with their anti-coagulant state.
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