Patient taking sinthrome in Europe relocating to the United States

[rbmj]

Hello,

I currently live in Spain, I have taken Sinthrome / Sintrom (Acenocoumarol) for the past ten years and I am relocating very soon to the United States. Is Sinthrome widely available in US pharmacies? It appears to me from searching on the web that it is not, so I guess I will have to switch to Warfarin once I arrive in the US. Do I specifically need to see a cardiologist there or can the switch be supervised by a general practicioner? Are there any specific precautions that I should take when switching treatments?

Thanks

 

[dick0236]

Welcome to this site and to the USA. I am not familiar with Sinthrome, but there are some on the site who can answer about the availability in the US. Warfarin is readily available by prescription, as is the brand name Coumadin. A general practioner normally follows the ACT needs of patients, including the required prescription for the drug. I see a Cardiologist every year or so for an Echo and consult, but he has little to do with my ACT(anti-coagulant therapy)....however, many Cardios also have in-house INR clinics and do manage ACT.

 

[rbmj]

Thanks for the warm welcome and for the indications

 

[Bina]

Hello and welcome !
I thought that we had a member on the same drug, but I can't remember right now.
Anyway, what I would do is have your current doctor send you off for your move with a good supply of the sinthrome and talk to your
pharmacist and/or doctor about the possible switch over.
It may also be a good idea to do an early search for a new American doctor and see what they say.
Good Luck !

 

[lance]

Good morning and welcome
My INR manager told me Sintrom tablets are lactose and gluten free warfarin. I'm in Canada ans it was easily obtained through my local pharmacy.
So it's tyhe first choice for celiac and lactose intolerant patients.
Cheers!
Sandra

 

[catwoman]

Where in the U.S. will you be relocating to?
As said previously, some cardiologists manage the anticoagulation therapy, sometimes it's the family doctor.
My family doctor has written my RX for Coumadin (at first) and now warfarin. He signed paperwork each time I purchased an INR monitor. I home-test and adjust my own dosage; I have provided him a copy of the algorithm chart I use in adjusting dosages. It's in my file folder.
I see my cardiologist once a year, for an echo. He's agreeable to my PCP writing my warfarin prescriptions, my home-testing and adjusting my own dosage. We've discussed home-testing and self-management and he has said several times that I can do it just as well as the Coumadin clinic at his practice.