K. Ghose et al., POSSIBLE INTERACTION OF ROXITHROMYCIN WITH WARFARIN - UPDATED REVIEW OF ADR REPORTS, Clinical drug investigation, 10(5), 1995, pp. 302-309
Roxithromycin is an ether oxime derivative of erythromycin, but is rep
orted to have a less inhibiting effect on the cytochrome P450 system t
han the latter compound. Unlike erythromycin, it is considered to be d
evoid of any clinically significant interactions with oral anticoagula
nts. The Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) of New Zealand
and the Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (ADRAC) of Australi
a are responsible for monitoring adverse reactions to drugs for their
countries. They received 7 (CARM) and 9 (ADRAC) reports of possible in
teractions of roxithromycin with warfarin during the period 1992-1995.
Roxithromycin appears to have a potentiating effect on warfarin, alth
ough considerably less so than erythromycin. This is likely to be part
icularly clinically significant in patients receiving polypharmacy and
in elderly or compromised patients.