I saw my cardiologist today and brought up the question about an FDA warning regarding a drug interaction between Plavix
and Nexium even though I was taken off my Plavix (Iscover) six or so months ago
- I have been on Nexium since my heart attack and before that was on Zoton. My
cardiologist said he was aware of the research/discussion about these two
classes of drugs - should point out my cardiologist is an assoc. professor at
our hospital which is a teaching hospital and I would suggest is pretty much up
to date on medications etc. for people like me.
On reviewing my case today and in view of ongoing/increasing episodes of
angina and his being fully aware of my bleeding issues and history of stomach
ulcer/reflux type issues he wants me to now drop my daily aspirin and go back
on Iscover and said to come back in March for a review.
I also brought up
the question of changing my statin, Lipitor, to which he replied that given my
combination of issues - coronary heart disease, stents and severe blockages in
both carotids - he felt very strongly that with my heart history and my being
T2 diabetic I should continue with Lipitor as my cholesterol levels are pretty
good but bad cholesterol LDL is up a bit - in my case, he said Lipitor was my
best option for my range of issues.
Now my cardiologist
saved my life the night of my heart attack July, 2007 and he tended to me as I
was arresting on the table as he was putting in three stents and I have full
trust in him and it is on this basis that I will be guided by his directions.
We talked about if my angina episodes continue and increase in number and
intensity and if my GTN spray after two shots doesn't work to get myself to
hospital asap as I did in May with a view another troponin test and
angiography/angiogram. He will review me in March at which time there is a good
possibility I will have an angiogram anyway if I have not had one between now
and then and if I am still having angina episodes.
I guess it is fair
to say that you can not rely on what is reported on the internet and that
outcomes from research may not always apply to everyone and that at the end of
the day you need to have faith, trust in your cardiologist/specialist/GP etc.
and if you don't then you need to find one whom you do trust.
-----------------------------------------------
Why
I Raised the Question about Plavix and Nexium?
Because it was brought up in a heart support group I am a member of on Facebook:
FDA
Warns Plavix Patients of Drug Interactions - Plavix
Dulled by Nexium, Prilosec, Tagamet, Prozac, Other Drugs
Read more about this article at: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20091117/fda-warns-plavix-patients-drug-interactions
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