FDA states Prilosec & Plavix not to be given together. But....

[elprup, BSN, RN]

http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/postmarketdrugsafetyinformationforpatientsandproviders/drugsafetyinformationforheathcareprofessionals/ucm190787.htm

so i find this article dated 11/17/09 from fda website (yes i still have too much time on my hands....i am so waiting for anybody to say, "ya come to work! we'd love to train you as an rn, bsn.") anyway,

fda states that

prilosec or any stomach acid blocker, proton pump inhibitor (ppi), cannot be given at all with plavix, an anticoagulant med. (even spacing out the time between each med does not help). this is due to the fact that the stomach acid blockers reduce the effects of the plavix like 45% - wow huh?

hello, aren't these given together all the time? dont docs prescribe prilosec or (ppi's/stomach acid blockers) for most patients, because of in hospital stress etc? that is what i've seen (granted i am an inexperienced rn searching for second job attempt). and aren't most pts on anticoagulants after surgery, etc?

based on these fda recommendations has this changed this where you work???? (wonder if higher dose of anticoag makes a difference or plavix just reduces effects 45% across board? or do your docs not perscribe ppi's to most patients? inquiring minds want to know, as i continue studying.

elp

[tewdles, RN]

I would say that at about 50% of the patients I receive into hospice who are on a PPI also have Plavix on their POC. Thanks for the info, I will share with my peers!

[LaceyRN]

Interesting find. Our pharmacy always auto-substitutes Protonix for patients taking Nexium or Prilosec at home. I checked and Protonix is not on the list of meds that interact with Plavix.

[sasha2lady]

Wow! I'm glad you had time to get this info and post it. I work in ltd and almost all residents are on prilosec which they get at 6am. I don't have anyone on plavix but I have a ton of coumadins. Wonder if it's the same case with coumadins? I'll look thru my

MARS tomorrow and share this new info.