Zithromax and other drugs while on treatment proton pump inhibitor (PPI list

[Guest guest]

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);

* 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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