Analysis of acenocoumarol and levofloxacin interaction in elderly institutionalized patients

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyze the interaction between acenocoumarol and levofloxacin in the elderly. We also assessed how hypoalbuminemia affects international normalized ratio variation. MethodRetrospective study carried on elderly institutionalized patients who were prescribed levofloxacin concomitantly with acenocoumarol. International normalized ratio variation during levofloxacin treatment was analyzed with the t-Student test. Correlation between albuminemia and international normalized ratio variation was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. ResultsThe mean international normalized ratio previous to treatment with levofloxacin was 2.5 (standard deviation: 0.6) and during treatment it was 4.7 (standard deviation: 1.9) (p < 0.05). In 54.3% of the cases, the international normalized ratio value was equal to or greater than 4.5. Not linear association between albuminemia and international normalized ratio increase was found using Pearson's test (R = –0.16). ConclusionsIn more than half of the occasions international normalized ratio raised to clinically rellevant values (≥ 4.5). No influence of hypoalbuminemia in the increase in international normalized ratio was shown.