Enhancement of dicoumarol bioavailability by concomitant food intake.

The influence of food intake on the bioavailability 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 less than 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.