Warfarin in short supply but GPs warned against switching brands
The drug’s narrow therapeutic range is a problem, Professor Mark Morgan says.
A warfarin shortage could force patients to combine multiple smaller doses, with doctors warning that switching brands could increase the risk of clots or bleeds.
The TGA says there will be a shortage of Coumadin 5mg and 2mg until 31 July and 20 March, respectively, while Marevan 3mg was briefly in short supply until 6 March.
Different brands of warfarin were not always therapeutically equivalent, meaning patients could not just switch between them, said Professor Mark Morgan, chair of the RACGP Expert Committee — Quality Care.
“Warfarin has a narrow therapeutic index,” Professor Morgan said.
