|
|
|
FDA warns against using Plavix with heartburn medications By Andrew Zajac
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT) The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday warned consumers not to take popular heartburn medications Nexium or Prilosec if they use Plavix, a widely prescribed blood thinner that guards against heart attack and stroke. The two heartburn formulations can reduce the protective blood-thinning effect of Plavix by nearly one-half, according to a study undertaken at the request of the Nexium and Prilosec inhibit a liver enzyme that is involved in converting Plavix into active form. Plavix and Nexium were the second and third best-selling pharmaceuticals in the world last year with sales of The "There are ongoing studies to look at those other drugs," said Southworth, who briefed reporters in a telephone call. Patients who need an acid-reducing medication can use traditional antacids, such as Mylanta and Maalox, or most of the drugs in a class called H2 blockers that includes Pepcid, Axid and Zantac, according to the The agency offered a milder caution against using one H2 blocker, Tagamet, which has a similar enzyme-inhibiting effect on Plavix. That warning is less pointed, the agency said, because Tagamet has not specifically been studied for its interaction with the blood thinner. Heartburn medications are commonly used with Plavix because it can cause upset stomach. The With Tuesday's caution from the A leading medical industry watchdog welcomed the The "You're getting a less effective dose of a potentially life-saving drug," said Wolfe, who also is a member of the Nexium was developed by Astra Zeneca as its closely related predecessor Prilosec neared the expiration of its patent in 2001. Prilosec now is marketed as an over-the-counter drug by Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Rex Nutting is a columnist for MarketWatch.com. Comment by clicking here. © 2009, Chicago Tribune Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Arnold Ahlert | |||||||||||
