Which antibiotic is known to interact with the anticoagulant warfarin?

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Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim is recognized for its ability to interact with warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding in patients. This interaction occurs because sulfamethoxazole, one of the components of this antibiotic, can inhibit the metabolism of warfarin, leading to increased levels of warfarin in the bloodstream. This potentiation of warfarin's anticoagulant effects necessitates closer monitoring of the patient’s INR (International Normalized Ratio) to avoid excessive anticoagulation.

While the other antibiotics may have their own potential side effects and interactions, they do not have the same significant effect on warfarin metabolism as sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim does. Understanding this pharmacological interaction is crucial for clinicians when prescribing these medications together, particularly in patients requiring anticoagulation therapy. Thus, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim stands out for its notable interaction with warfarin.

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