Plavix and PPIs
My friend Dan Southern, Professor Emeritus, Western Carolina University, alerted me to a May 7 Wall Street Journal article describing how protein pump inhibitors such as Nexium, taken for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), inhibit absorption of clopidogrel (Plavix). Many cardiologists prescribe Nexium to control the heartburn some Plavix patients suffer. Gordon Ens and Kirk Guyer of AspirinWorks helped me find the article, which indicates antacids, Zantac, and Tagamet, all non-protein pump inhibitors may be used. Plavix irreversibly binds the platelet membrane ADP receptor P2Y12 and is prescribed as a 1-2 year follow-up to prevent a secondary vascular event in patients who have had an acute myocardial infarction.
By the way, the Clinical Laboratory Science program at Western Carolina is one of the spate of 2009 USA closings, which include University of South Alabama and Arizona State University, all three large CLS programs. Geo.
