Drug interactions
Interferon alfa 2b + Warfarin
Severity: Moderate
Interferon alfa 2b and Warfarin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Interferon alfa has been reported to increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, with raised INR in some patients. Interferon can also cause thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction, which further raise bleeding risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Interferon alfa 2b and Warfarin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Interferon alfa 2b belongs to Anti Virals; Warfarin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Mechanism is not firmly established; possibly reduced warfarin metabolism due to interferon-related suppression of hepatic CYP activity.
What to do
Monitor INR closely when starting, changing or stopping interferon, and adjust the warfarin dose. Monitor platelet counts as well.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Interferon alfa 2b and Warfarin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Interferon alfa 2b
Other interactions of Warfarin
- Defibrotide + Warfarin Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Warfarin Contraindicated
- Abciximab + Warfarin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Warfarin Major
- Adagrasib + Warfarin Major
- Amiodarone + Warfarin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Interferon alfa 2b with Warfarin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Interferon alfa 2b and Warfarin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Interferon alfa has been reported to increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, with raised INR in some patients. Interferon can also cause thrombocytopenia and liver dysfunction, which further raise bleeding risk.
How serious is the interaction between Interferon alfa 2b and Warfarin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor INR closely when starting, changing or stopping interferon, and adjust the warfarin dose. Monitor platelet counts as well.
What other medicines interact with Interferon alfa 2b?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Interferon alfa 2b with, for example, Deferiprone, Hydroxycarbamide, Pexidartinib. The full list is on the Interferon alfa 2b page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
