Proton pump inhibitors and Plavix don't mix
May 7, 2009 | 9:51
am
Common drugs used to treat ulcers and heartburn appear to pose a problem for people taking the blood thinner Plavix.
The drugs Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec and Protonix, known as proton pump inhibitors, are enormously popular. But, researchers have found, they can be dangerous in heart patients taking the aforementioned anti-clotting medication.
They apparently interfere with Plavix's effectiveness, boosting the risk of heart and stroke by 50% in patients taking both drugs.
The results were presented this week at a meeting of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions.
Here's a fuller story from the Wall Street Journal.
-- Tami Dennis
Photo credit: JB Reed/Bloomberg News
Most indivdiuals taking proton pump inhibitiors designed to counteract hyperacidity (high), in fact have hypoacidity (low). Further, long term use increases the risk of pneumonia because the body needs acid to control the pneumonia bugs. Simple litmus paper test will ascertain needs. Saliva pH premeal should read 6.4 or below and one hour after meal 7.0 or above. Chemist can supply pH paper or email us for simple free questionnaire .
We need stomach acid to metabolise certain nutrients including calcium.
Posted by: functionmed | May 11, 2009 at 11:51 AM