Enhancement of dicoumarol bioavailability by concomitant food intake

The influence of food intake on the biovailability of dicoumarol from a non-micronized formulation was examined in ten healthy volunteers, by examination of its single-dose kinetics after ingestion of dicoumarol 250 mg with a standardized breakfast and on an empty stomach. Blood samples were collected at regular intervals from 0 to 72 h, and the serum concentration of unmetabolized dicoumarol was determinded by spectrophotometry. Postprandial AUC (area under the curve) values were significantly (p<0.01) greater than the preprandial figures, the mean increase being 85 per cent. The results suggest that dicoumarol should always be taken with food.