[Fatal intracerebral haemorrhage possibly caused by interaction between paracetamol and warfarin]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2015 Jun 1;177(23):V12140685.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

This is a case report of an 83-year-old man in warfarin treatment with stable international normalised ratio (INR) after aortic valve replacement and atrial fibrillation. Due to back pain he took paracetamol (acetaminophen) 4 g/day, morphine 30 mg/day and diclofenac as rescue medication for two weeks. After 14 days of treatment he was admitted to a hospital with acute neurological deficits, and a blood sample showed INR levels above 10. A CT-scan of the brain showed an intracerebral haemorrhage. The patient died eight days after admission. Mechanisms of the possible interaction between paracetamol and warfarin are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / administration & dosage
  • Acetaminophen / adverse effects*
  • Acetaminophen / pharmacology
  • Acetaminophen / therapeutic use
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / administration & dosage
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / adverse effects*
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / pharmacology
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Anticoagulants / pharmacology
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / chemically induced*
  • Cerebral Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Drug Interactions
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage
  • Warfarin / adverse effects*
  • Warfarin / pharmacology
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Anticoagulants
  • Acetaminophen
  • Warfarin