GlaxoSmithKline recalls its 3mg generic warfarin in New Zealand as a result of an "isolated" incident.

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PTINR.com Staff

Additional support for more frequent, home INR testing found after GSK pulls their generic warfarin dose from the market

Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline has issued a major recall of one of their most common medications Marevan™. Marevan™ is a generic warfarin (Coumadin ®) taken by over 12,000 people in New Zealand. The manufacturing problem was limited to the blue colored 3mg strength and includes more medicine than the label indicates. ¹

The warning includes any patients taking Marevan™ after November 23, 2009 and for patients to seek urgent medical advice and replace the tablets. ¹

"Patient safety is our first concern and the results of our investigations to date give us confidence that this is an isolated incident," GSK NZ general manager Geoff McDonald says.

Signs of over anticoagulation include but not limited to excessive bruising or bleeding.

The recall is limited to only the GlaxoSmithKline 3mg generic formulation. If you have any questions about your medications – your dispensing pharmacist or healthcare provider is your best resource of information.

Home INR testing enables you to check your INR more frequently and thus be aware sooner of possible errors in dosing or even manufacturing. "More frequent testing provides the ability to detect any drift in INR stability sooner, rather than later, thus keeping INR within a set range."²