Prevacid & low Platelets

  30 years ago I was diagnosed with achalasia (not sure of spelling).  Surgery was performed and I was left with a sphincter muscle that no longer works.  As a result I have lived with constant heart burn.  My Doctor perscribed Cimitidine which helped to some degree.  But my real relief came only a few years ago, when I tried Prilosec.  I was taking one pill per day.  This continued over a 4year period. During the course of blood tests as part of a physical examination, it was discovered that my platelet count was low.  Over the next year, while I continued to take the Prilosec, I went for 3 more blood tests.  Each time the platelet count worsened.  My Doctor discovered a note in the PDR which stated that Prilosec could effect the platelete count in isolated cases.  He asked me to stop taking this particular drug and put me on Prevacid.  Over the next 6 months he monitored the platelete level and found that the count increased back to normal levels.  I have now been taking Prevacid for 15 months, one pill per day.
  Last week I went for a physical and the resulting blood tests.
  My platelete count has dropped again.  My Doctor is now having me checked for ITP.  However, I wondered if there is any information indicating that Prevacid can have the same effect as Prilosec. Both Prilosec and Prevacid have been life savers for me.  They have allowed me to sleep at night and eat normally.
  So I wondered if there is something else out there that might provide the same benefical result, without the effect on the plateletes.
  Do you have any advice?
Dear Dennis,
I looked up Prevacid in the current PDR. In one section it states that Prevacid has no effect on the hematopoietic system (blood). In the section on adverse lab results noted with Prevacid it states that increased/decreased/abnormal platelets have been observed. Alternative medicines include: cisapride (Propulsid) or histamine receptor antagonists other than cimetidine such as ranitidine (Zantac) or famotidine (Pepcid).
  This response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Always check with your personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.
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