|
Basic InformationLookupsLatest NewsDelirious Hospital Patients a High-Risk Group, Study FindsLink Between Depression, Cholesterol May Differ by GenderStudy Explores Links Between Obesity and Chronic PainAs Temperature Rises, So Does Seniors' Risk of HyperthermiaSigns of Thyroid Trouble Tied to Raised Pregnancy ComplicationHealth Tip: Start Migraine Care ImmediatelyStudy Points to Molecular Origins of Celiac DiseaseHomeopathic Nasal Zinc Linked to Loss of SmellScreening for Sepsis Could Save Lives, Researchers SayFDA Warns Public Regarding Stolen Advair Diskus InhalersNon-Invasive Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Shows PromiseFDA: Antirheumatic Drug Gets New Boxed WarningAssociation Found Between Alzheimer's and AnemiaScreening Guidelines Miss Many Kids With High CholesterolGlaucoma Cases on the Rise in U.S.H1N1 Tied to Death, Serious Illness in Transplant PatientsHeart Beat Could Provide Marker for Kidney Health: StudyChildren With Migraine Do Not Have More Psychiatric ProblemsLady Gaga-Inspired Lens Fad Draws Warning From Eye Docs'Miniature Telescope' for Eye Approved for Macular DegenerationAntibiotic May Up Risk of Dangerous Potassium Levels in SeniorsGene Mutation May Make People More Prone to AsthmaDrug May Shrink Fibroids, Preserve FertilityResearchers Identify Genes Behind Alopecia AreataMoldy Homes Linked to Higher Risk of Severe Asthma AttacksFor Migraine Sufferers, Stigma Adds to BurdenDulera Inhaler Approved for AsthmaTests Help Predict Which Parkinson's Patients Are Likely to FallTreatment Helped Soldiers With Migraine, Insomnia: StudyMP3 Players Might Harm HearingGenome for Human Body Lice UnlockedVitamin D Deficiency Linked to Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome in StudiesObesity Doesn't Always Guarantee Heart DiseaseElectronic Monitoring of Asthma Med Use May Boost AdherenceGene Mutations Offer Clues to Autoimmune DisordersCommon Cancer Drug Tied to Kidney DamageRA Patients and Physicians Differ on Disease SeverityAnalysis Questions Quality of Direct-to-Consumer AdsAllergies Might Trigger DepressionFDA Changes Label on Weight-Loss Drug Orlistat (Xenical/Alli)New Tramadol Label Warns of Suicide, Overdose RisksOsteoarthritis Claims Growing Number of Younger VictimsCommon School Scoliosis Screening Test Lacks PrecisionFDA Warns of Fracture Risk With Popular Heartburn DrugsSelf-Reported Peanut, Tree Nut Allergies in Children on the RiseWeb-Based Program Can Boost Asthma CareHigh-Fat Meal May Trigger AsthmaTreatment Found to Reduce Depression in PsoriasisHerbal Supplements, Warfarin Can Be Hazardous MixAPS: U.S. Veterans Plagued by Multi-Symptom Pain Disorders Questions and AnswersLinksBook Reviews |
| |
Heartburn Drugs Can Thwart Popular Blood Thinner
by By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter
Updated: Nov 17th 2009
TUESDAY, Nov. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Combining the antacid Prilosec with the popular blood thinner Plavix (clopidogrel) can cut the effectiveness of Plavix by half, putting patients at risk for heart attack or stroke, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.
"These recommendations are based upon recently submitted studies by the manufacturer of clopidogrel [Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb]," Mary Ross Southworth, deputy director for safety with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Division of Cardiovascular and Renal Products, said during a morning press conference.
"The results of those studies are to avoid the combination of those two medications," she said, adding that the tandem should be avoided even if the two drugs are taken hours apart.
Combining the two drugs is common because Plavix can upset the stomach. The FDA said patients taking Plavix can take alternatives to Prilosec, such as Mylanta, Maalox, or Zantac, Southworth said.
Prilosec is in a class of drugs called proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). Prilosec was singled out because it was the only PPI tested in studies submitted by the manufacturer of Plavix, Southworth said.
However, proton-pump inhibitors similar to Prilosec -- such as Aciphex, Nexium, Prevacid and Protonix -- should also be avoided when taking Plavix, Southworth said.
Other drugs that may also interact with Plavix, making it less effective include: cimetidine (Tagamet), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), voriconazole (Vfend), etravirine, felbamate (Felbatol), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), and ticlopidine (Ticlid), according to the FDA.
Results of a study presented Monday at the American Heart Association's annual meeting in Orlando, Fla., also found that people taking the acid reflux drugs Prilosec or Protonix in combination with blood thinners such as Plavix had a higher risk for death after angioplasty than people who didn't take the two popular antacids.
In January, Sanofi and Bristol-Myers updated Plavix's labeling to advise against using it in combination with certain heartburn drugs, the Associated Press reported.
On Tuesday, Sanofi spokeswoman Noelle Boyd said the company had bolstered that language labeling. "We've strengthened the label to say that these drugs should be avoided altogether, not just discouraged," she said.
More information
For more on clopidogrel, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
This article: Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved. |