title: Spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage associated with prolonged diosmin therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalent use of anticoagulation in a growing elderly population has led to an increasing incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage. Furthermore, the understanding of the interactions and adverse effects of oral anticoagulants when used with non-FDA approved drugs is limited. Diosmin is one such non-FDA approved drug which is a semisynthetic, phlebotropic supplement with multiple microcirculatory effects. We report a case of a patient on oral anticoagulation and diosmin, who presented with spontaneous intraventricular hemorrhage, and discuss the possible etiology behind this rare event.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review and a comprehensive search of the literature using the PubMed database were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 77-year old female with a 6 week history of warfarin therapy and a several year history of diosmin use presented with severe bitemporal headache. Computed tomography scan revealed an acute hemorrhage within the right ventricle without associated intraparenchymal hemorrhage. International normalized ratio measured 1.8 and was corrected using fresh frozen plasma and vitamin K. She was discharged without neurological deficits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diosmin inhibits platelet aggregation and prolongs the effect of norepinephrine on venous tone, leading to increased venoconstriction. The combined effect of chronic microcirculatory hypertension and inhibition of platelet aggregation due to diosmin may have predisposed to spontaneous hemorrhage in this anticoagulated patient. Individual cases such as this serve as a reminder that over-the-counter dietary supplements may be associated with serious adverse events. The practicing clinician should be aware of this possible adverse event when evaluating patients on oral anticoagulation and chronic diosmin treatment.
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Ramesh M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Jamie J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Van Gompel
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bower
authors.forename: Alejandro A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rabinstein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004145:Diosmin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D012651:Self Medication; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D005419:Flavonoids; D014859:Warfarin; D004145:Diosmin