UPDATE: Prescription meds...Inderal

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A few days ago, a thread on this forum was discussing prescription medications and the possible role of Y2K. One poster reacted to my notes about Inderal (a prescription heart/BP med) with anecdotal reports about Inderal being difficult to obtain recently. Today, I VERIFIED this report by checking with a local (CT) pharmacy chain. I was advised that the shortfall has existed for about 2 months, that on-hand supplies are short and expected shipments have not arrived.

I do not know and will not speculate if this is Y2K related or not. I do recall earlier news reports saying that something like 80 percent of prescription meds are partially or completely dependent on imported substances or components. So, this MIGHT be a date related shipping problem.

BOTTOM LINE: If you take Inderal, or ANY prescription meds, PLEASE consult with your doctor and/or pharmacist ASAP. Some medications cannot be stopped cold turkey without serious side effects. Don't take chances. Get informed and take appropriate action.

-- Irving (irvingf@myremarq.com), December 06, 1999

Answers

Thanks for the info. Back in October, I asked my new doctor for six month's supply of Inderal, and he would only prescribe it through January. (My original doctor would give me six months worth.) I cannot live without my Inderal. Will go back and bug him for more, so I can get on a waiting list and have a happy February.

-- (normally@ease.notnow), December 06, 1999.

Shortage seems limited to the LA (Long Acting) version of Inderal. The generics are MIA too. Older, non time release versions are still plentiful. Actually, Inderal as the original of its class has been largely supplanted by more recent beta-blockers.

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), December 06, 1999.

Thanks, Carlos. Unfortunately, the more recent beta blockers do not work for me. But I am glad the original Inderal is still available.

-- (normally@ease.notnow), December 06, 1999.

When my pharmacist couldn't refill my 3 mos prescription of propranolol last week he told me that I had been using the generic and that the company or companies that had been making the generic had either quit making it or gone out of business. Only ESI Lederle is making Inderal since September and they weren't prepared to carry the entire load of propranolol users. What had cost me $35 earlier this year now costs $78, but they won't have any more til at least January. What happened to whoever was making propranolol? Maybe they didn't have money to remediate. Who knows?

-- Sylvia (bluebirdms@aol.com), December 06, 1999.

I take inderal when I have to perform a big concert (as does most of the New York Philharmonic,BTW). We better get stocked up on inderal for y2k, or there are going to be some pathetic post-y2k concerts :)!

-- Orson Wells (wells@whitebulb.com), December 07, 1999.


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