B
Beefsteak
Guest
Hi,
Recently (1 month ago) I had two stents placed and my Cardiologist put me on the usual 75mg of Plavix (clopidogrel). Subsequently I suffered a blood loss and was hospitalised for 6 days. I was severely anaemic and required 6 units of blood. They found an esophagal ulcer that was seeping blood. The ulcer was treated and appears to have healed. The gastroentrologist put me on 40mg Nexium when I left hospital.
These days I rarely suffer from any form of acid reflux, heartburn, or even indigestion, as I have changed my diet, and never eat and drink before bed, and rarely consume alcohol.
Since new research appears to show that Nexium and other proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) can interfere with and/or inhibit the blood-thinning function of Plavix, I wondered what alternatives there were. There must be many other people in the same situation as me. (Since Plavix is mildly aggressive to the stomach, some are prescribed PPIs with their Plavix, as a normal treatment.)
AntaciRAB like Quik-Eze and Mylanta (aluminum and magnesium hydroxide) are a problem because they interfere not only with the digestion of food, but also put a lining on the digestive tract, and can prevent the proper absorbtion of medicines. (The packet says not to take medication within 2 hours of taking Mylanta.)
I am considering taking Zantac (Ranitidine), or something else, but wondered if anyone had dealt with this problem or could offer any comments. (Also, I wondered about Zantac as a long-term treatment - like Nexium often is.)
Thanks.
Beefsteak
Recently (1 month ago) I had two stents placed and my Cardiologist put me on the usual 75mg of Plavix (clopidogrel). Subsequently I suffered a blood loss and was hospitalised for 6 days. I was severely anaemic and required 6 units of blood. They found an esophagal ulcer that was seeping blood. The ulcer was treated and appears to have healed. The gastroentrologist put me on 40mg Nexium when I left hospital.
These days I rarely suffer from any form of acid reflux, heartburn, or even indigestion, as I have changed my diet, and never eat and drink before bed, and rarely consume alcohol.
Since new research appears to show that Nexium and other proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) can interfere with and/or inhibit the blood-thinning function of Plavix, I wondered what alternatives there were. There must be many other people in the same situation as me. (Since Plavix is mildly aggressive to the stomach, some are prescribed PPIs with their Plavix, as a normal treatment.)
AntaciRAB like Quik-Eze and Mylanta (aluminum and magnesium hydroxide) are a problem because they interfere not only with the digestion of food, but also put a lining on the digestive tract, and can prevent the proper absorbtion of medicines. (The packet says not to take medication within 2 hours of taking Mylanta.)
I am considering taking Zantac (Ranitidine), or something else, but wondered if anyone had dealt with this problem or could offer any comments. (Also, I wondered about Zantac as a long-term treatment - like Nexium often is.)
Thanks.
Beefsteak