Drug General Information (ID: DDIXA9J6FB)
Drug Name			Heparin		Drug Info		Cefoxitin		Drug Info
Drug Type		Small molecule				Small molecule
Therapeutic Class		Anticoagulants				Antibiotics
Structure

Mechanism of Heparin-Cefoxitin Interaction (Severity Level: Minor)
Increased risk of bleeding Click to Show/Hide Mechanism Graph
Drug Name		Heparin				Cefoxitin
Mechanism		Risk of bleeding Anticoagulant				Risk of bleeding Inhibit the growth of vitamin K-producing intestinal bacteria, inhibit the production of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors via the methylsulfotetrazole side chain, and/or inhibit platelet activity
Key Mechanism Factor 1
		Factor Name		Bleeding
		Factor Description		Patients may be at risk for bleeding when the outcome of a disease or disease treatment confounds the standard mechanisms for maintaining hemostasis. Signs or symptoms of abnormal bleeding include: bleeding that takes a long time to stop (including nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bleeding from cuts and abrasions, and menstrual bleeding); severe unexplained bruising, or bruising that becomes larger; blood in the urine or stool, etc.
Mechanism Description		Increased risk of bleeding by the combination of Heparin and Cefoxitin

Recommended Action
Management		Usually, no special management is necessary, but the patient should be monitored for bleeding if heparin must be given concurrently. Vitamin K is effective in treating cephalosporin-induced coagulopathies.

References
1	Angaran DM, Dias VC, Arom KV, et al "The comparative influence of prophylactic antibiotics on the prothrombin response to warfarin in the postoperative prosthetic cardiac valve patient." Ann Surg 206 (1987): 155-61
2	Reddy J, Bailey RR "Vitamin K deficiency developing in patients with renal failure treated with cephalosporin antibiotics." N Z Med J 92 (1980): 378-80