Coumadin VS Generic Warafin

[Brian]

Hi Again,
Has anyone experienced poor results with raising their INR when on generic Warafin? I have only ever been on generic Warafin, but the first bottle was a better quality (I bought it at the hospital). The second bottle I now have crumbles when I split the pills. Now, I am not too sure if it is a coincidence or not, but since I have started taking the pills from the second bottle, I can NOT get my INR higher than 1.8 and I am now on 10.0 mg. I am thinking, that I get what I pay for. My surgeon also agreed with me that there is a good chance that it is indeed inferior... if I have to take more of it, it likely isn't cheaper in the end after all....

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Brian,
I have been on Warfarin since my surgery last April and haven't had any problems with my INR. I take 47.5 mg per week and I am pretty steady between 2.9 - 3.3.
It might be you got a bad batch. I would contact the pharmacy or where ever you got them and let them know how they are crumbling.
Take Care

 

[Ross]

Brian if they are crumbling, they are bad and need to be replaced regardless of the expiration date. Something got into that batch and messed them up. I would take the remainder of whats left back to whomever and demand replacement. Sounds to me like you got some bootlegs from somewhere. You didn't order those online did you? I'm not making fun of you or joking with you here, I'm serious. I've used both generic brands and brand name, as well as mixed them and there was no difference except price. If they crumble, they are contaminated with moisture or something. Definately see about replacement!

Are these Barr or Taro brand?

 

[Harpoon]

Yeah, if they're crumbling apart when you try to split them they may not be of the "best quality." Take what you have left to the pharmacy that filled your scrip and talk to them about it. Could be that others on coumadin have made similar complaints, or will do so after you. If they got a bad lot, they should know about it and they should be contacting all the patients they have who may have gotten some of that bad lot.


I'm on generic warafin from Barr and it's never given me that kind of a problem. If my INR fluctuates, it's because of changes in other medications I'm taking (going off our going on usually) not because of "bad pills".

 

[catwoman]

Brian:

Not had this problem with any human Rx. However, I have experienced this with a few prescriptions for our cats, usually enteric-coated antihistamines.

My guess is there could have been a quality control problem in producing your tabs -- perhaps too much humidity at the facility. Or perhaps somewhere after leaving point of origin?

Just a thought.

 

[Raverlaw]

Brian,

I've not had any problems with generic warfarin tablets. The crumbling thing does sound suspicious - I'd get them replaced.

 

[Guest]

I notice that you are in Canada. Maybe you got some of those that were meant to be sent to the US!!! I have a pharmacist friend from Canada coming for a visit tomorrow, so I'm just warming up!!

Seriously, they should not crumble when you try to break them. I'd complain to the pharmacy. If that doesn't help, write a letter to the provincial Ministry of Health.

If you can find the manufacturer you should be able to send a message via their website.

 

[danseamour]

Hi Brian,
I stated with Coumadin, then had to change to generic Warafin, when my insurance changed. I noticed no unusual difference in the INR rate between the two. Could the difference in your INR be due to a small change in your diet?
Janet