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. 1979 Nov 17;2(6200):1260–1261. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.6200.1260

Interaction between anticoagulants and contraceptives: an unsuspected finding.

E de Teresa, A Vera, J Ortigosa, L A Pulpon, A P Arus, M de Artaza
PMCID: PMC1596889  PMID: 519402

Abstract

To assess the effects of oral contraceptives on anticoagulant treatment the prothrombin times of 12 patients were measured while they were taking both drugs simultaneously and while they were taking only anticoagulants. The mean prothrombin time ratio was significantly higher when patients were taking both drugs than when they were taking only anticoagulants and their doses of anticoagulant were significantly lower. During both periods most of the prothrombin values remained in the therapeutic range. These findings suggest that, contrary to the common belief that oral contraceptives diminish the effects of anticoagulants, contraceptives in fact potentiate the action of the anticoagulants.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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