jmjm, what's the skinny on fiber?

[jamimapuddle]

You mentioned not to take fiber with the riba pills.  I was just wondering what the heck you are talking about.  The only thing I could find by googling (although i frequently loose patience with internet research) was a warning about fiber supplements with senna, but nothing about fiber itself. I eat a lot of fruit, veggies and whole grain so it would be a little difficult to avoid that stuff when I take my pills (since I take them with breakfast and dinner).
All this diet stuff is baffling the bejesus out of me.

Wow...the snow is really coming down now...

[jmjm530]

Not talking about fruits, veggies, whole grains, etc. What I'm talking about bulk fiber supplementation -- like Flax -- when you take your ribavirin. And it's just not ribabivin, could interfere with other drugs as well. In fact, I think it say so right on the  package of "Uncle Sam's Cereal" or a similar fiber rich cereal.
See "Flax Interactions" here:  http://www.drugs.com/npp/flax.html
Also, in theory, taking antacids with the riba can also limit absorption, so best space that apart a couple of hours. On the other hand, PPI's like Nexium or H-2 Pumps like Pepsid AC can be taken right along with the ribavirin. And, of course, taking fat along with the ribavirin can substantially increase its bioavailability, so in theory this will benefit you.

[jamimapuddle]

thanks dude

[GrandmaA]

What about taking cacium/magnesium with the riba? Someone else asked me about that.Thanks.

[jmjm530]

"Coadministration with an antacid containing magnesium, aluminum, and simethicone (Mylanta®) resulted in a 14% decrease in mean ribavirin AUCtf. The clinical relevance of results from this single-dose study is unknown."

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/ribav_cp.htm

[pigeonca]

For whatever it's worth, I frequently took calcium with riba, since I had no idea this was contraindicated.  Nonetheless, I achieved SVR.  Nothing scientific here; i'm just one patient.  

About 10 years ago I read that grapefruit interacts negatively with many medications.  I'd taken my morning meds and followed them with a grapefruit for breakfast all my life.  Yet somehow the meds worked.  Very curious.

[merryBe]

oh great, and here I've been taking a little simethicone because there's no room in my abdomen for any gastric events!!

well now we know!!!

thanks Jim......I think the Clinic "class" I took was far from all inclusive of basics the more I learn.
It's better than having no class for people, but there's

Mary

[jmjm530]

Depending on the meds you take, I'd be very careful with grapefruit juice and check with both doctor and/or pharmacist. From what I understand it can react significantly with certain (not all) meds and I believe INCREASE their effect in some cases, which may not be desirable.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN00413