Coumadin vs Warfarin

[Michaelena]

I just read Karlynn's post about new Rx for generic coumadin, and it got me thinking....This may be a question asked before, but what are the differences? Would Al's site have this information?

Thanks,
Michaelena

 

[perkicar]

I just read Karlynn's post about new Rx for generic coumadin, and it got me thinking....This may be a question asked before, but what are the differences? Would Al's site have this information?

Thanks,
Michaelena

You might look into some of the old posts--I know we've had this discussion before. I think the info is on Al's website as well.

 

[catwoman]

Michaelena:
Al Lodwick will tell you that the latest studies show no difference between Coumadin & the generics.

My PCP oversees my anticoagulation, since my cardio is in Dallas. The first year post-op, Coumadin wasn't so expensive. Then my insurance plan changed the cost of name brand Rxes in 2004. I asked to switch to generic. He said OK, since I have my own testing machine and could detect any significant changes in INR after the switch. There wasn't any. He's OK with generic warfarin, although others in his office think the opposite.

I get Taro warfarin through Medco. My INR is usually 3.2-3.6.

I'd rather have the extra bucks in my bank account than lining the coffers of a big pharmaceutical company. There's always another medically-related bill I have to pay.

 

[Michaelena]

Thanks I will check out Al's web site on this matter.

Michaelena

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I also switched from Coumadin to generic Warfarin from TARO (made in Israel) through my mail order pharmacy (Medco). NO difference that I could tell and I've been quite stable both before and after the change.

The TARO tablets are also easier to split. I have not complaints.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[perrybucsdad]

Where is Al?

Where is Al?

Where is Al this week? I haven't seen him at all this week... I hope he's ok.

- John

 

[Guest]

Just back from the mountains where there was no internet access or cell phone coverage.

The Taro comment reminded me of something. Everyone in Israel who was taking Coumadin was switched to Taro's warfarin. They have government-run medicine. They had no problems that cost the system more money with lab tests etc. That was not just an experiiment - it was real life. If anyone would deny that they are equivalent after that, then you would have to doubt the person's ability to think rationally.

I gave talks for DuPont when they owned Coumadin but was not hired any more when I refused to say that Coumadin was better. So I have "put up or shut up" with far fewer $$ in my pocket on this issue.

Prior to 1997, I also told people to never switch. There was a time when the generic was thought to not be as good, but that hasn't been the case for the past 8 years.

 

[Rain]

Welcome back, Al!!

Welcome back, Al!!

The old timers are not going to believe this.... because I always swore by coumadin rather than generic too. But every time I get my mail order prescription renewed they go back to sending me generic. I finally said, ?POOEY!? I?ll go with it for a longer period of time and see what happens. Nothing happened that was any different... except I paid half the price.

Soooooooooo Rain?s a ?warfarin made by TARO? type person these days. I have to say, I?ve really let my hair down about my INR lately. I tested weekly for at least five years. I?ve only been testing every two or three weeks for the last 6 months or so.

Before my INR would go down to 2.4 I?d freak... do nothing, test again in a week...it would be at 4.0 or something ... I?d freak... it?d go back to 3.5.... then maybe 5.3... back to 2.3 Whatever!!! Finally I said to myself... you aren?t changing dose when it bounces anyway.. And mostly it?s staying in range ......... soooooooooo stop letting it drive you nuts!!

Now I just look at my legs... if the pectea (I forgot how to spell it, Al!) are only around my ankles.... I?m low.... if it?s up around my knees... I?m in good shape. If it?s to my belly button............. I have broccoli soup for dinner and salad for lunch a couple days!! So much nicer than slicing my finger weekly.

 

[Rain]

Nice picture, John.

Nice picture, John.

Well, John...

I did a little research and found the proper spelling is Petechiae, it is little pinpoint hemorrhages.... little red spots. If you put in a google search, you'll get lots of info on them. I really haven?t heard a lot of talk about them on this site, but I have discussed them with my cardio, and Al and Marty here on the site.

I am completely serious when I tell you that I can tell where my INR is by looking at my legs. Between the petechiae and bruises... it?s pretty clear.

It?s really sorta weird to me that I seem to be the only one who has them all the time... not just occasionally. It?s not like I?m covered in them... they seldom show up anywhere but my legs. When my INR is in range ... I can look at my legs very closely and see them sprinkled around below my knees. Someone standing next to me would never really see them.... well... unless they were really looking at my legs. lol But if my INR is high, there's more of them and higher up my legs and even a couple sprinkled on my chest.

 

[Guest]

Rain, Do you suppose the petechiae vary by the altitude above sea level, or the height on your body. Either way that might be why few other people get them.

Cortez, Colorado is higher than most of the rest of the country, so they never get on other people because they can't get that far above sea level. Or Rain is so tall that if other women would have to look at their neck to be the same height off the ground as Rain's belly button!!!

I've given up on the dog in the flower bed theory.

I met a guy in Pagosa who knows your husband. I can't remember his name but I think it was Jerry. He drives a truck and makes deliveries to Vergil's construction company. He was there with a trailer selling gyros sandwiches at the 4th of July festival.

I also saw Neal's wife Tammy at City Market in Pagosa and almost got to play the same trick as we did on Neal but with her.

 

[Guest]

There is a magazine called Pharmacy Times that ranks the top 200 drugs in several different ways. I just found the listings for 2004 by number of prescriptions dispensed in retail pharmacies and mail order pharmacies - all added together.

Warfarin from Barr Labs is the 33rd most prescribed drug in the US

Coumadin is the 76th most prescribed drug in the US

Warfarin by Taro Labs is the 155th most prescribed drug in the US.

They did not give the actual prescription numbers, but the people who take Coumadin are now in the minorrity.

If there was a difference, it would seem to me that there would be a health care crisis of major proportions in this country.

 

[Rain]

Rotten Dog!!

Rotten Dog!!

THAT?S IT!!!

That rotten dog! lol I gotta still love him, even if he does mess with my INR. He is so obedient and patient. Sara asked if she could give him a bath & haircut the other day.... it was so darn hot, I let her. It was the first time she?s given him a hair cut. By the time she was done.... he was bald! I think he likes it. I was kinda worried about him getting a sunburn!! He?ll be thinking ?red spots?! lol There?s lots of shade in my yard... he?s fine, I promise.

Hmmm... My husband doesn?t let many people on his job sites. So I'm stumped... I'll have to ask him.

I wish you and Tammy could have seen Neal?s face! I should have taken my camera with me. The icing on the cake is when I mentioned the flat tire on Wolf Creek Pass!!! That could not be beat! lol Hilarious!

 

[Guest]

The guy from Cortez was soaking in the hot pool too and were were talking. When he said that he was from Cortez I asked him if he knew you. He said that he thought that he knew who you were but that he made deliveries to Vergil's business.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

POOR DOG !

He'll have to hide behind a tree or in the pool until his hair grows back.

 

[Michaelena]

Rain..
Thanks for putting a name to what my legs look like from the ankle to shin "Petechiae." Also I take warfarin by Taro. My INR has always been pretty constant, except recently, I am told that my liver as a result of my Tricuspid valve problems is not processing it the way it normally would, it is running on the high side now and from what I have been reading high is better the low.

I have been getting quite an education on warfarin.
Michaelena

 

[catwoman]

I did a little research and found the proper spelling is Petechiae, it is little pinpoint hemorrhages.... little red spots.

It?s really sorta weird to me that I seem to be the only one who has them all the time... not just occasionally. It?s not like I?m covered in them... they seldom show up anywhere but my legs.

Rain: You've got such long legs how can how see the spots on 'em????
Seriously, I have them too. Haven't ever checked my legs (guess I'll have my husband do that!), but I see them on my upper arms all the time. And I'm in range almost all the time. I just flick at them with a fingernail and they're gone -- poof!

 

[Rain]

OH!!! Okay, I get it, Al.

OH!!! Okay, I get it, Al.

For some reason I was thinking they were making deliveries to his project in Durango.

Marsha said:
?I just flick at them with a fingernail and they?re gone?poof!? ??

Really? Mine are under the skin. They won?t ?flick?. I even tried it! lol They?re still there!

 

[Guest]

Marsha has special powers - Catwoman!!!

 

[loretta]

Inr

Inr

I am also on coumadin & can't stay in range of 2.5 to3.5. How many mg. do you take a day to stay in range? loret

Michaelena:
Al Lodwick will tell you that the latest studies show no difference between Coumadin & the generics.

My PCP oversees my anticoagulation, since my cardio is in Dallas. The first year post-op, Coumadin wasn't so expensive. Then my insurance plan changed the cost of name brand Rxes in 2004. I asked to switch to generic. He said OK, since I have my own testing machine and could detect any significant changes in INR after the switch. There wasn't any. He's OK with generic warfarin, although others in his office think the opposite.

I get Taro warfarin through Medco. My INR is usually 3.2-3.6.

I'd rather have the extra bucks in my bank account than lining the coffers of a big pharmaceutical company. There's always another medically-related bill I have to pay.

 

[Guest]

Everyone's dose has to be individually determined.