RE: Zithromax and other drugs while on treatment proton pump inhibito...

[Guest guest]

Wow, thanks for that list. I had no idea it was so long.

With the warmest regards,

Matt

CML of Florida

Dx January of 2005

Gleevec March of 2005

Tasigna November of 2007

Number 1078 in the Esteemed Zavie Zero Club

In a message dated 10/5/2008 10:49:32 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

ICANDOALLTTC@... writes:

Hi,

I get always ask my Primary Care Dr if the medicine he prescribes will

interfere with my chemo; He always says no; so I go home and look it up on

the

internet. I use to take Zithromax until I heard it worked against Gleevec.

I am now on Tasigna so a whole new set of rules apply, but the some of the

same rules also. I recently had a serious problem with my potassium going to

high; I told my PCD that I was sure it was something to do with the Gleevec;

he proceded to treat me with Sodium Poly Sulf--it made me so sick, by the

time

I had the second bottle, I was vomiting and they found blast in my blood.

My Onc wouldn't address the problem because he said my PCD was taking care

of it. All in all, it ended up with the blast in my blood; changing to

Tasigna; hemg getting to low; transfusions and so on.

I don't know if the drug he gave me for lowering the potassium was the

culprit, but I do suspect it was.

Then I had this pain in my tummy after my 2nd dose of Tasigna.

My PCD gave me Nexium, even though I have never had heartburn except of very

rare occasions. I then read where were aren't suppose to take those

proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with Tasigna.

So, do I keep taking the Nexium or not?

Here is the list I found of meds that work against Tasigna.

I hope this helps.

Jeanie<3

* antiarrhythmics – used to treat irregular heart beat;

* chloroquine, halofantrine, clarithromycin, haloperidol, methadone -

medicines that may have an unwanted effect on the function of the heart;

* ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, moxifloxacin,

clarithromycin, telithromycin – used to treat infections;

* ritonavir – a medicine from the class “ antiproteases†used to

treat HIV;

* carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin – used to treat epilepsy;

* rifampicin – used to treat tuberculosis;

* St. ’s Wort – a herbal product used to treat depression and

other conditions (also known as Hypericum perforatum);

* midazolam – used to relieve anxiety before surgery;

* warfarin – used to treat blood coagulation disorders (such as blood

clots or thromboses);

* astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, bepridil or

ergot alkaloids (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine)er

* antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors – used to suppress

stomach acidity.

These medicines should be avoided during your treatment with Tasigna. If you

are taking any of these, your doctor might prescribe other alternative

medicines.

You should also tell your doctor if you are already taking Tasigna and you

are prescribed a new medicine that you have not taken previously during

Tasigna treatment.

Dear Friends,

Thanks for the F.Y.I's on Zithromax working against Gleevec.

I spoke to the Primary Physician who prescribed 2 weeks worth of

Zithromax, taking 250 mgs. daily for 2 weeks, however, it seemed like

the Hemoglobin was being compromised by the antibiotic which gave

a false reading, and the nurses at the Oncologist office pointed out

that I had low iron. Believe me I felt anemic, however the iron

test indicated that I did not have a shortage of iron in which I was

relieved.

I thought carefully about the problems which I see in cancer

care in my state, and left an email to one of the University hospitals

Head Department of Hematology and Oncology to see if they could support me

in a decision which is needed to be able to survive in an

area which I would call a gray area, that perhaps loses it patients

under poor medical decisions made by other medical physicians who

fail to look into Internet, or never calling the pilot in charge which

happens to be ones Oncologist, nor research one medication to reach a final

decision for another on the interactions of cancer medications.

Nothing came through as I search through my 151 emails. So it

leaves me to this question: How many of the cancer survivors have

ever been exposed to poor medical practices which left you wondering

if you were going to survive the cancer or be eliminated by the drugs?

Your replies are important to me and once again, I would appreciate your

honestly!

Thanks for your assistant, and blessing to you all!

Dory Doggie

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[Guest guest]

Interaction between various doctors is certainly interresting. It is

pretty hard in my experience to get good information about things that

are not directly linked to the usual tests (PCR, liver). For the

oncologist as long as you are breathing everything is good. But for

the family/internal medecine dr anything above a cold or a scrap is

scary, you just mention leukemia and it's like aliens have invaded

their office.

For the antiacids like tums it's ok if you take it a couple of hours

after of before the pills (at least for gleevec). The other antiacids

(that block acid production) are more controversial (even for " normal "

people), as they not only interfere with other drugs, but also with

digestion, and can actually make things worse in the long term.

Marcos.

On Sun, Oct 5, 2008 at 1:09 PM, <mtmaynor@...> wrote:

> Wow, thanks for that list. I had no idea it was so long.

>

>

> With the warmest regards,

>

> Matt

> CML of Florida

> Dx January of 2005

> Gleevec March of 2005

> Tasigna November of 2007

> Number 1078 in the Esteemed Zavie Zero Club

>

>

> In a message dated 10/5/2008 10:49:32 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> ICANDOALLTTC@... writes:

>

> Hi,

> I get always ask my Primary Care Dr if the medicine he prescribes will

> interfere with my chemo; He always says no; so I go home and look it up on

> the

> internet. I use to take Zithromax until I heard it worked against Gleevec.

> I am now on Tasigna so a whole new set of rules apply, but the some of the

> same rules also. I recently had a serious problem with my potassium going to

> high; I told my PCD that I was sure it was something to do with the Gleevec;

> he proceded to treat me with Sodium Poly Sulf--it made me so sick, by the

> time

> I had the second bottle, I was vomiting and they found blast in my blood.

> My Onc wouldn't address the problem because he said my PCD was taking care

> of it. All in all, it ended up with the blast in my blood; changing to

> Tasigna; hemg getting to low; transfusions and so on.

> I don't know if the drug he gave me for lowering the potassium was the

> culprit, but I do suspect it was.

> Then I had this pain in my tummy after my 2nd dose of Tasigna.

> My PCD gave me Nexium, even though I have never had heartburn except of very

> rare occasions. I then read where were aren't suppose to take those

> proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with Tasigna.

> So, do I keep taking the Nexium or not?

> Here is the list I found of meds that work against Tasigna.

> I hope this helps.

> Jeanie<3

>

> * antiarrhythmics – used to treat irregular heart beat;

> * chloroquine, halofantrine, clarithromycin, haloperidol, methadone -

> medicines that may have an unwanted effect on the function of the heart;

> * ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, moxifloxacin,

> clarithromycin, telithromycin – used to treat infections;

> * ritonavir – a medicine from the class " antiproteases " used to

> treat HIV;

> * carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin – used to treat epilepsy;

> * rifampicin – used to treat tuberculosis;

> * St. 's Wort – a herbal product used to treat depression and

> other conditions (also known as Hypericum perforatum);

> * midazolam – used to relieve anxiety before surgery;

> * warfarin – used to treat blood coagulation disorders (such as blood

> clots or thromboses);

> * astemizole, terfenadine, cisapride, pimozide, quinidine, bepridil or

> ergot alkaloids (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine)er

> * antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors – used to suppress

> stomach acidity.

>

> These medicines should be avoided during your treatment with Tasigna. If you

> are taking any of these, your doctor might prescribe other alternative

> medicines.

> You should also tell your doctor if you are already taking Tasigna and you

> are prescribed a new medicine that you have not taken previously during

> Tasigna treatment.

>

> Dear Friends,

>

> Thanks for the F.Y.I's on Zithromax working against Gleevec.

> I spoke to the Primary Physician who prescribed 2 weeks worth of

> Zithromax, taking 250 mgs. daily for 2 weeks, however, it seemed like

> the Hemoglobin was being compromised by the antibiotic which gave

> a false reading, and the nurses at the Oncologist office pointed out

> that I had low iron. Believe me I felt anemic, however the iron

> test indicated that I did not have a shortage of iron in which I was

> relieved.

> I thought carefully about the problems which I see in cancer

> care in my state, and left an email to one of the University hospitals

> Head Department of Hematology and Oncology to see if they could support me

> in a decision which is needed to be able to survive in an

> area which I would call a gray area, that perhaps loses it patients

> under poor medical decisions made by other medical physicians who

> fail to look into Internet, or never calling the pilot in charge which

> happens to be ones Oncologist, nor research one medication to reach a final

> decision for another on the interactions of cancer medications.

> Nothing came through as I search through my 151 emails. So it

> leaves me to this question: How many of the cancer survivors have

> ever been exposed to poor medical practices which left you wondering

> if you were going to survive the cancer or be eliminated by the drugs?

> Your replies are important to me and once again, I would appreciate your

> honestly!

>

> Thanks for your assistant, and blessing to you all!

>

> Dory Doggie

>

> ************************<WBR>**New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at

> y

> Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out!

> (_http://local.http://lohttp://lochttp://local.<WBh_

> (http://local.mapquest.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000001) )

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Mat,

It's surprising what we're not suppose to be taking.

My Tasigna guide said not to take any other medicines while on this drug.

Now, I don't believe this is possible as some have to take the meds they have

to take. I think this is just a guide.

Why did you havea to go off Gleevec; I was on Gleevec since Feb of 2004.

Started Tasigna 2 weeks ago; today is my 14th day.

How did you feel in the beginning of your treatment with Tasigna?

Did you stay on the high dose, or reduced and did you have any problems?

I still feel tired; I just got all my blood work done. I should know the

results tomorrow.

Hang in there WArrior,

Blessings,

Jeanie<3

In a message dated 10/5/2008 1:09:55 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

mtmaynor@... writes:

Wow, thanks for that list. I had no idea it was so long.

With the warmest regards,

Matt

CML of Florida

Dx January of 2005

Gleevec March of 2005

Tasigna November of 2007

Number 1078 in the Esteemed Zavie Zero Club

**************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination.

Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out!

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[Guest guest]

Jeanie:

I went off Tasigna because I could not

reach PCRU and kept fluctuating on

Gleevec from 6.00 to .06. Plus I had

every GI issue in the pamphlet.

I find Tasigna much more tolerable.

With the warmest regards,

Matt

CML of Florida

Dx January of 2005

Gleevec March of 2005

Tasigna November of 2007

Number 1078 in the Esteemed Zavie Zero Club

In a message dated 10/6/2008 10:26:46 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

ICANDOALLTTC@... writes:

Hi Mat,

It's surprising what we're not suppose to be taking.

My Tasigna guide said not to take any other medicines while on this drug.

Now, I don't believe this is possible as some have to take the meds they

have to take. I think this is just a guide.

Why did you havea to go off Gleevec; I was on Gleevec since Feb of 2004.

Started Tasigna 2 weeks ago; today is my 14th day.

How did you feel in the beginning of your treatment with Tasigna?

Did you stay on the high dose, or reduced and did you have any problems?

I still feel tired; I just got all my blood work done. I should know the

results tomorrow.

Hang in there WArrior,

Blessings,

Jeanie<3

In a message dated 10/5/2008 1:09:55 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

_mtmaynor@..._ (mailto:mtmaynor@...) writes:

Wow, thanks for that list. I had no idea it was so long.

With the warmest regards,

Matt

CML of Florida

Dx January of 2005

Gleevec March of 2005

Tasigna November of 2007

Number 1078 in the Esteemed Zavie Zero Club

************************<WBR>**New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at

your destination. Dining, Movies, & more. Try it out!

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[Guest guest]

Thanks Mat,

I pray I do the same.

Jeanie<3

In a message dated 10/6/2008 8:58:55 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

mtmaynor@... writes:

Jeanie:

I went off Tasigna because I could not

reach PCRU and kept fluctuating on

Gleevec from 6.00 to .06. Plus I had

every GI issue in the pamphlet.

I find Tasigna much more tolerable.

With the warmest regards,

Matt

CML of Florida

Dx January of 2005

Gleevec March of 2005

Tasigna November of 2007

Number 1078 in the Esteemed Zavie Zero Club

**************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination.

Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out!

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[Guest guest]

Jeanie,

I haven't seen anywhere that says you can't take any other drugs with

Tasigna - only the ones that have the potential to cause problems with

increased absorption etc. You shouldn't take any prescribed or non

prescribed meds without consulting your specialist first.

I never take other meds with Tasi - I always observe the 2 hour prior and 1

hour after rule of taking nothing but water. Then I take other meds as

required ~ magnesium and Vitamin D supplements, occasional paracetamol and

frusemide. I take far less " extra " meds now that I am not on Glivec.

Hopefully your energy levels will increase very soon now that you are not on

Glivec and get over the initial teething problems you had with Tasi.

In regards to the black box warning it certainly warns against the QT

prolongation - the main issue I was told re this from Prof our

leading CML specialist was that you should never have Tasigna with a fatty

meal....hence the 1 hour at least fasting AFTER taking Tasigna as this was

shown to be a leading issue in adverse side effects.

Having read all the trial material available which Novartis sent to my

haematologist and he passed on to me, the patients that did die suddenly

while taking Tasigna were in blast crisis. I'm not aware of any further info

re this - hopefully in the ongoing follow up trials this data will be

updated.

When you read up on different drugs you are taking, there are quite a few

out there that can cause the same problem of QT prolongation, so Tasigna is

not alone in this regard - I guess because these are such new drugs that we

are going to be far more aware of side effects than if our GP prescribed

something to us and previously took it for granted that he/she was aware of

the side effects and we never researched the drug on the net like we do now.

Regards,

Rodorbal Labradors Australia

www.rodorbal.com

http://au./group/Ozlabradors/

www.labradata.org

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of

ICANDOALLTTC@...

Sent: Tuesday, 7 October 2008 1:26 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Zithromax and other drugs while on treatment proton

pump inhibito...

Hi Mat,

It's surprising what we're not suppose to be taking.

My Tasigna guide said not to take any other medicines while on this drug.

Now, I don't believe this is possible as some have to take the meds they

have to take. I think this is just a guide.

Why did you havea to go off Gleevec; I was on Gleevec since Feb of 2004.

Started Tasigna 2 weeks ago; today is my 14th day.

How did you feel in the beginning of your treatment with Tasigna?

Did you stay on the high dose, or reduced and did you have any problems?

I still feel tired; I just got all my blood work done. I should know the

results tomorrow.

Hang in there WArrior,

Blessings,

Jeanie<3

In a message dated 10/5/2008 1:09:55 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

mtmaynor@... <mailto:mtmaynor%40aol.com> writes:

Wow, thanks for that list. I had no idea it was so long.

With the warmest regards,

Matt

CML of Florida

Dx January of 2005

Gleevec March of 2005

Tasigna November of 2007

Number 1078 in the Esteemed Zavie Zero Club

**************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination.

Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out!

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