Other medications during TX

[cieritaqt]

I understand that it is best to avaoid all supplements before TX, and during. However, my doctor ays it should be fine to take Prilosec OTC. It is over the counter, and I usually take it every 6 - 9 moths, to keep indigestion from occuring. I took my last 2 week course of Prilosec OTC in March, and I am staring to experience heart burn / GERD again. I have my Pagysys and Ribivirin in hand, and I will do my first injection on 9/16. Has anyone else taken Prilosec OTC during TX, I don't want it to interfere with the TX.

[curiouslady1]

PPIs can affect D3, Calcium and B12 absorption, perhaps moreso when used long term. But it is something to keep in mind for bone health as well as what one will feel like with ribavirin and ifn anyway and how one will use their supplements which themselves would need to be spaced from the PPI.  

[suezeeque]

Why not just err on the side of caution and take your PPI two hours after the treatment medications?  I understand about fat and bioavailability, but what about acid for 'breaking down' the pill in the stomach?

If you only take a PPI once a day (or even twice), it doesn't seem like an inconvenience to take it two hours after the treatment medications.

[epiphiny]

I concur with what can-do is saying. My trial nurse also told me the same thing.  But you do need to avoid taking Mylanta etc 2 hours before or 2 hours after as it can interfere with absorption.  The drugs need fat for better bioavailability, not acids. Also best not to take drugs with lots of fiber as they can bind to the fiber and pass through the system before total absorption thus decreasing bioavailability.  You need all the bioavailability you can get!.

[can-do-man]

I treated with a PPI (Victrelis), my doctor was also the principal investigator for the drug, he put me on the PPI and said it didn't matter when i took it........ I think he knows what he is talking about.

[suezeeque]

can-do-man, what about drugs that require acid for absorption?  Do we know that our treatment drugs do not require acid for proper absorption?  Do we know that taking PPIs at the same time as our treatment drugs will not negatively impact our chance for treatment success?

Proton pump inhibitors do exactly that:  inhibit acid production.

To the OP:  ask your doctor.

[joemc34606]

My doc wants me taking vitamins and also fish oil because the fish oil has fat and the vitamins I'm taking have vitamin d3 in them. The last time I spoke to him they seem to think the vitamins help with the rash. I have no rash and shot 8 is Saturday. As far as other drugs I don't know because I don't take any. Joe

[can-do-man]

Prilosec is just fine to take during treatment, as a matter of fact my doctor put me on it, and it doesn't matter when you take it, the same with other PPI's. Its only anti acid like tums and stuff that should be taken 2 hours before or after the riba........... good luck

[curiouslady1]

On the other hand, there are drugs that can be taken at the same time.  I take metformin, a powerful diabetes drug which has to be taken with food, at exactly the same time as study drug which also has to be taken with food.  The sponsors and researchers had no problem.  Also, no problem with taking my thyroid med early in the morning before the study drug on an empty stomach.  I could take vitamin and d3 and folic acid and premarin and even glucosamine but remifemin (with black cohash for hot flashes) is an absolute no no.  Most of my other meds. are taken at night though in order to provide the "Great Assassinator of HepC Virons" free rein.  

[crossroadsec]

Wow. This is news. I'm taking ondansetron for nausea (maybe 3 in 2 weeks. I also take Vistaril for itching and have taken it about an hour before inhibbies n riba for 3 or 4 days... yikes. Hope to hear some more feedback. RX just said every 6-8 hours as needed. It cures the itch... Karen :)

[suezeeque]

I was also told to wait 2 hours after taking my study drugs to take any PPI.  I don't take them but recall being told this during my assessment visit.

[curiouslady1]

I entered an all oral trial recently and do not take either Riba or Ifn.  However, I had to give up my proton pump inhibitor completely (Dexilant changed from Aciphex changed from Prevacid).  In addition, I was told that I must take Zantac OTC (150 x twice a day is ok) no closer than 10 hours before dosing with the study drugs and no sooner than 2 hours afterwards.  This is according to protocol.  I have heard before that some drugs interfere with the actions of other drugs.  There is also another question you may ask your docs and yourself.  If I can take my other meds, when is the best time to do so?