Propulsid and FDA warning

Posted By Mary on July 04, 1998 at 15:37:10:







Recently I read that the Food and Drug Administration strengthened the warning label for Propulsid after reports of 38 drug-related deaths in a five-year period.  There have been reports of severe adverse reactions, including heart rhythm disorders and deaths associated with the use of the drug in combination with certain other medications or with people who had particular underlying medical conditions.
I have been taking Propulsid since August, 1997, for what my doctor thinks might be a stomach motility problem. (My tests included upper and lower GI series as well as an abdominal scan.  My symptoms, which recurred periodically for over two years, included nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite with resultant weight loss.)  I have not had any problems since taking Propulsid.  As a matter of fact, I have cut down to two  tablets per day.
Now I am concerned about the new FDA warning.  How many deaths occurred in the first, second, etc. years?  What were the underlying conditions?  Can Tagamet be taken along with Propulsid?  (I used Tagamet as a common wart treatment for about a month.)  Is the risk less when taking a lower dose?  Are there any other drugs/medicines with fewer side effects  for slow gastric emptying?
Thank you,
Mary