During treatment with metronidazole, what adjustment should be made to a patient on warfarin?

When a patient is treated with metronidazole while on warfarin, it is important to adjust the warfarin dose due to the interaction between the two medications. Metronidazole can inhibit the metabolism of warfarin, leading to an increased risk of bleeding due to elevated anticoagulant effects.

As a result, decreasing the dose of warfarin by a certain percentage is necessary to maintain therapeutic efficacy while minimizing the risk of adverse effects associated with excessive anticoagulation. A reduction of 25% is a common practice, allowing for careful monitoring and adjustment based on the patient's INR (International Normalized Ratio) levels during the co-administration of these drugs.

This adjustment is crucial for managing potential complications and ensuring patient safety. Regular INR monitoring is also recommended to guide further adjustments as needed based on the patient's response to treatment.