IMATINIB AND WARFARIN AND OTHER ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS

The manufacturers suggest that imatinib may inhibit the metabolism of warfarin. This suggestion seems to be based on an observation in one patient, and on in vitro studies that show that imatinib can inhibit CYP2C9, which is involved in the metabolism of warfarin. There seems to be no other evidence that a clinically relevant interaction is likely to occur.
The manufacturers say that patients needing anticoagulation should be given low- molecular-weight or standard heparin.