title: Interaction between warfarin and Korean red ginseng in patients with cardiac valve replacement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to determine whether an interaction exists between warfarin and Korean red ginseng.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, double-blind, randomized, two-period crossover study was conducted on 25 patients with cardiac valve replacement under warfarin therapy. Either Korean red ginseng 1 g or placebo (hop extract 0.25 g, caramel color 0.05 g, and red ginseng flavor 0.03 g) was concomitantly administered with warfarin. INR and warfarin concentrations were analyzed on the 3rd and 6th weeks of each study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The INR changes on the 3rd and 6th weeks of Korean red ginseng administration were -0.16±0.95 and -0.14±0.94 whereas those of placebo were -0.03±0.65 and 0.25±0.95; there were no statistically significant differences in mean INR changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Korean red ginseng could be used with close monitoring and under appropriate education in patients who take warfarin.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yeon Hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Koo
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon Jung
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: In Kyung
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: bcchang@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Byung Chul
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hagwak@ewha.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hye Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Gwak
mesh_terms: D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005894:Panax / Q000378:metabolism*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014859:Warfarin / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D014859:Warfarin