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Two cases of retroperitoneal haematoma caused by interaction between antibiotics and warfarin
  1. S Phillips,
  2. A Barr,
  3. E Wilson,
  4. T A Rockall,
  5. J F Stebbing
  1. Department of Surgery, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr S Phillips
 Department of Surgery, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XX, UK; drsimonphillips{at}hotmail.com

Abstract

Several commonly prescribed antibiotics are known to interact with warfarin, increasing its anticoagulant effect by different mechanisms. Retroperitoneal bleeding with consequent haematoma is recognised as a complication of over-anticoagulation. Consequences, which are potentially fatal, include hypovolaemic shock and compression of retroperitoneal structures such as the ureter and inferior vena cava.

  • CT, computed tomography
  • INR, international normalised ratio
  • IVC, inferior vena cava
  • PE, pulmonary embolism
  • Antibiotic
  • complication
  • haematoma
  • retroperitoneal
  • warfarin

https://doi.org/10.1136/emj.2004.016345

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests: there are no competing interests