Drug Interactions with Coumarin Anticoagulants

Abstract

THE simultaneous use of several therapeutic agents has become commonplace. At some time during their stay in a general hospital in the United States most patients receive more than five drugs concurrently. On medical services the median number of drugs administered to patients during one hospitalization is 10 to 13, and many patients receive 20 or more drugs. Concomitant prescription of several drugs for ambulatory patients is the rule in many diseases. Furthermore, such patients commonly consume analgesics, hypnotics, cold remedies and other drugs that are available without prescription. Finally, there is universal exposure to bioactive foreign chemicals in the . . .