Interaction between warfarin and Korean red ginseng in patients with cardiac valve replacement.
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.
Lee
Yeon Hong
YH
College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea.
Lee
Byung Koo
BK
College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea.
Choi
Yoon Jung
YJ
College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea.
Yoon
In Kyung
IK
College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea.
Chang
Byung Chul
BC
College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: bcchang@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr.
Gwak
Hye Sun
HS
College of Pharmacy & Division of Life and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hagwak@ewha.ac.kr.
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
D010936:Plant Extracts; D014859:Warfarin