PK/PD interactions of antiarrhythmic drugs and oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation patients: clinical implications for stroke and dementia prevention

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent arrhythmia affecting over 33 million individuals worldwide, markedly increases the risk of stroke and dementia. AF confers a nearly fivefold higher risk of stroke, accounting for up to one-third of cases, and independently elevates dementia risk even in the absence of overt cerebrovascular events. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) are the cornerstone of stroke prevention in AF and may also reduce AF-associated cognitive decline. However, their concomitant use with antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs), widely prescribed for rhythm or rate control, introduces toxicological and safety concerns due to clinically significant pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions. Both drug classes commonly share cytochrome P450 enzyme and P-glycoprotein pathways, leading to altered systemic exposure, therapeutic efficacy, and safety. These interactions can enhance bleeding risk or reduce anticoagulant protection, highlighting the need for mechanistic insight and careful monitoring. This review emphasizes the toxicological dimensions of AAD-OAC co-therapy, focusing on exposure-toxicity relationships, bleeding thresholds, and variability in high-risk populations. It first outlines the mechanistic basis linking AF, stroke, and dementia, establishing the rationale for anticoagulation. It then examines AAD-anticoagulant interactions involving warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban), emphasizing enzyme inhibition, induction, and transporter modulation. Clinical, experimental, and case-based evidence is integrated to identify combinations associated with increased hemorrhagic risk and toxicological implications. Finally, practical recommendations are provided to optimize therapy, minimize adverse outcomes, and guide safer management of patients with AF. By integrating pharmacological mechanisms with toxicological perspectives, this review aims to advance risk assessment and safety evaluation in AAD-OAC co-therapy, ultimately improving prevention of stroke and dementia in AF.

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Peer-reviewed research on anticoagulant and antithrombotic drug development relevant to leech-derived therapeutics. Indexed in PubMed and verified against the NCBI record.

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