Anti-Clotting Drug, Coumadin: Recalled by Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb announced a recall of the anti-clotting drug Coumadin because the amount of the active ingredient could change over time. A total of 144,672 one milligram pills were recalled, all distributed in the United States, and came from eight production lots, and bear expiration dates from June 2011 and November 2012.

The company said that the amount of isopropanol in the pills could change. Isopropanol is used to keep the tablet’s active ingredient in its crystalline form. As the amount of isopropanol changes, the amount of the active ingredient could be increased or reduced. Bristol-Myers Squibb said that the risk of clotting may increase if the amount of active ingredient is decreased, and if the active ingredient is increased, the patient faces greater risk of bleeding.

Coumadin (aka Warfarin) is used to treat or prevent blood clots. Compression stockings are also used when blood clots are of concern. Graduated medical compression socks and compression hosiery help reduce the risk of post-thrombotic syndrome after clotting and can be purchased online at a compression stocking store such as Healthy Leg Depot.