Plavix and Pantoprazole interaction?

[tony969]

I have been taking Plavix for 3 years after MI back in 2009/100% occlusion of the left ventricle artery/.I have 2 bare metal stents and one DES inside those two in the same artery. Taking Diltiazem, Lisinopril, Aspirin and Ranitidine as well. Have been having constant stomach and chest pains and the doctors are not able to find the cause- at least they don’t think it is a cardiac one./the chest pains/ My gastroenterologist suggested I stop taking Ranitidine and switch to Pantroprazole. I have read a lot about the interaction between Plavix and PPI’s but he thinks only Omeprazole have more effect on Plavix, not Pantoprazole. Please, let me know what your opinion is and have you heard about any interaction between those two? I don’t need an additional heart attack.
Thank you for your response

[ed34]

When I had esophagitis a short while back, it was explained to me by my Doctor that it isn't always a curable thing. Medication can often be for life to alleviate the symptoms. The trouble (she explained) is that there's a sphincter, ring of muscle at the junction of the stomach and esophagus. It's to prevent acid coming back up and the esophagus has no protection against stomach acid, it becomes very inflamed. She said with age, the sphincter can weaken and there's nothing that can be done apart from reducing acid production and looking at avoiding certain acidic food/drink.

[tony969]

Mine is plain acid reflux but aparently in "high doses":) I started taking 40 mg of Pantoprazole in the morning/before breakfast/ and one Ranitidine at night. Doctor suggested after a month to stop Ranitidine and continue only with Pantoprazole. I really hope this is going to help my undiagnosed chest pains.

[jrbon]

As you can see here:
http://www.rxlist.com/protonix-drug/indications-dosage.htm

Erosive esophagitis due to gerd, it should be solved in a max of 16 weeks.

If you only take it for that period, then I do not think that there is any issue. If you plan to take it for years, them I suggest to get yearly blood test for Vit. B12, Calcium and Magnesium. If necessary Vitamin B12 can be injected and Magnesium can be orally supplemented, I do not know about calcium (do not know if it exist in injectable form) any oral intake will not be assimilated unless that your stomach has a minimum acidity level

Jesus.

[ed34]

You're very kind and very welcome.

[tony969]

Thank you very much for your answer. I have been reading some of your postings and am quite impressed by your knowledge. It does help people and me particularly to hear different opinions. Thanks again

[tony969]

Thank you very much for yout detailed posting- really appreciate it. I am quite familiar with all the side effects and everything you mentioned- have done some research too. Tried to stop Plavix and almost got another heart attack- I have 3 stents and the third one is in a "sandwich"- so to make this short, I may have to be on Plavix indefinite. The paradox is that after I started Pantoprazole, my chest pains disapeared 99%. Yes, I have done endoscopy and did show some acid reflux- the gastroenterologist thinks though it is possible to be an Esophagus problem- he was very clear that sometimes even with normal results you can have problems. Believe me- I have seen every specialist here and no-one was able to "discover" what the problem is. This is the first time I am having some kind of relief. And yes- I do take 10 mg of Simvastatin, stopped it once but my chest pains did not disapear.
I would like to ask you a question though: You mentioned/whicn I know/ that "No assimilation of Calcium, Vitamin Bs, Magnesium (which can affect your heart), increased broken hips...". Any suggestion how to deal with this so can at least partially avoid those problems? Thank you again
Anatoly