Plavix effectiveness decreased by Heartburn Medications
· According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, the effectiveness of the medication Plavix was decreased in patients taking the stomach acid medications Proton Pump Inhibitors. According to study authors, patients who were on both Proton Pump Inhibitor medication and Plavix had a higher risk of recurrent heart attack compared with patients who were taking Plavix alone.
· The study included 8200 patients who were hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome. Recurrent heart attack or death occurred in 20% of patients who were discharged from the hospital on Plavix alone and 30% in patients who were discharged in Plavix and a Proton Pump Inhibitor medication. Therefore, the risk of recurrent heart attack or death was higher with the use of a Proton Pump Inhibitor plus Plavix compared with Plavix alone.
· Proton Pump Inhibitors(PPIs) are medications that powerfully decrease stomach acid production. They are useful in patients with acid reflux (GERD) or the stomach ulcer disease gastritis. These medications are commonly prescribed and very effectively control stomach acid. Examples of PPIs include: Protonix, Prilosec, Nexium, Aciphex, Prevacid, Omeprazole
· The medication Plavix is helpful in heart disease as it Platelets’ ability to clot and obstruct arteries. It is commonly used in patients with severe heart disease or in whom have a stent placed in a coronary artery.
· Plavix needs to be activated in the liver at the same place where PPIs are metabolized leading researchers to believe that the explanation for these results is that PPIs interfere with the activation of Plavix.
By Medicues
March 8, 2009
Posted on March 8, 2009
