Warfarin supply disruption: what to do?

[Guest]

The marketing department drives almost all drug research now. They want to develop drugs that people will take over a long period of time. This is why we hardly have any antibioticd, or AIDS drugs coming but have plenty of things for blood pressure, toenail fungus, erectile dysfunction and hair loss.

 

[Dustin]

Could it be that warfarin impedes the development of mechanical valves? Just imagine what a loss of revenue we would see when mechanical valves do not require warfarin anymore. Since mechanicals are by far the majority of valve prostheses, having a "valve for life" would certainly take away large chunks of revenue. Now, I'm not someone who readily believes in conspiracies, but some companies have been shown to be involved in dodgy cartels. Or perhaps I've read too many crime novels.

 

[Georgia]

I kinda think that no one's making much money on warfarin. It's about the cheapest medicine I take (next to digoxin). The big bucks seem to be in statins, and the various "quality of life" drugs.

 

[Guest]

I doubt that it would be the case. Most warfariin used is generic so there is less financial incentive that for brands. Actually mechanical valves are lress than 25% of the people taking warfarin. Atrial fibrillation and blood clots in the legs account for about 75%.

 

[Granbonny]

This thread made me take a look at this month's warfarin bottle. I always keep the empty after I fill my Monthly pillbox...for the Rx #(Eckerd's has the answering machine for refills.).....so, I looked closely and saw ...discard after 12/31/06...Does one ever just quit taking Warfarin?....Once, you are on it???? .....Also, I had mentioned before..My cardio only gives me a 4 month refill...Clinical nurse told me it is because so many elderly patients will not come in for their INR check.. and believe me..looking around the waiting room yesterday for my follow-up..there were probably 30 elderly people in wheelchairs, ect. Glanced at the sign=in sheet. Many were there for their INR .test...I think I was the youngest one there..at age 65 ..No problem with my 4 refills. Clinical nurse always calls it in..Same day, I call her to tell her that I need another 4 months refill Bonnie

 

[William]

I've had good luck ordering large numbers (180 +) of Coumadin/Warfarin from Canada. Cheers, Will

 

[Guest]

Lots of people get off warfarin when the problem that caused them to need it is resolved.

 

[Dustin]

Same day, I call her to tell her that I need another 4 months refill.

I was thinking about weeks when I wrote the post above, not months. So 4 months worth of pills is pretty decent and would shield you from, say, natural disaster and various supply incidents.

 

[geebee]

I just got this mental picture of a huge natural disaster and the looting those usually cause. I saw all the valve people looting pharmacies to get warfarin while everyone else was taking barbituates or looting for TVs, etc.

 

[ccrawford]

If you are really worried about the supply of drugs drying up, get your doc to prescribe more than one dosage level. I.E. if you normally take 5 mg, ask him for some 4 mg which you can use as a backup if needed. They track each dosage individually, not as a total.

 

[ccrawford]

A couple of suggestions for those worried about their supply: First would be to simply ask your cardio to write a script for a different dosage. This way you can refill each different dosage separately and build a small safety stock. If you are currently taking 5mg, get a script for, lets say, 4mg. Your insurance company will track these separately. Second suggestion: ask your cardio if he has samples that you can have for a safety stock. Almost every cardio or heart clinic has a room full of samples, and most docs are more than happy to share them with you. (That gives the sales reps something useful to do ) Hope this helps.

 

[cocoalab]

I must admit, thinking about natural disasters concerns me as to warfarin supply, specifically, mine. What's a guy to do?? And your atr right, insurance won't pick up the tab.
How bout, what is the shelf life of warfarin?
I could buy it myself and store it, rotate stock.
Just thinking.

carbo

I would worry more about fresh water. We can worry endlessly about what ifs. done it myself but what are you gonna do? If Andrew's metoprolol ran out I would really be in a pickle too as he has been known to go into v-tach just from forgetting or being late on one dose. Trust God to take care of these big things.

 

[Guest]

Wendy, I'd be concerned about letting him watch the Cubs. The story in my wife's family is that her Dad died watching one of their games. They always say that the Cubs were so bad that year that his heart just couldn't take it any more.

 

[hensylee]

Wendy, I'd be concerned about letting him watch the Cubs. The story in my wife's family is that her Dad died watching one of their games. They always say that the Cubs were so bad that year that his heart just couldn't take it any more.

same thing happened to my daughter-in-law's dad. He was watching the Phillies.

 

[cocoalab]

Wendy, I'd be concerned about letting him watch the Cubs. The story in my wife's family is that her Dad died watching one of their games. They always say that the Cubs were so bad that year that his heart just couldn't take it any more.

But just think how much it strengthen's the heart! A real cardio vascular work out. i don't think andrew really expects to see the Cub's win.

I am sorry to hear about that though. How sad.

 

[Guest]

If the Cubs do well it might be an even greater risk.

I understand the part about not expecting to see them win. After all, I watch the Colorado Rockies.

 

[catwoman]

I was thinking about weeks when I wrote the post above, not months. So 4 months worth of pills is pretty decent and would shield you from, say, natural disaster and various supply incidents.

I'm just waiting for an event like Stephen King's "The Stand." I have about 8MO of 3 strengths.