Intoxication with Phenprocoumon (Marcoumar) Pharmacokinetics and Side Effects

Abstract

SummaryA case of severe Marcoumar intoxication is described. Eleven hours after the intake a plasma concentration of 15.75 µg/ml was found which corresponds approximately to the 5-fold therapeutic concentration. Repeated administration of vitamin K1 made it possible to avoid extreme lowering of the activity of the clotting factors II, VII and X and to prevent bleeding. Side effects were not observed. The biologic half-life of Phenprocoumon has been found to be shortened at high plasma concentration (3.7 instead of 5.9 days). It is probable that in extreme concentration the drug is less strongly bound to the plasma proteins.