Drugs Information Center(DIC)

FDA notified healthcare professionals of new safety information concerning an interaction between clopidogrel ( Plavi x), an anti-clotting medication, and omeprazole ( Prilosec /Prilosec OTC), a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to reduce stomach acid. New data show that when clopidogrel and omeprazole are taken together, the effectiveness of clopidogrel is reduced. Patients at risk for heart attacks or strokes who use clopidogrel to prevent blood clots will not get the full effect of this medicine if they are also taking omeprazole. Separating the dose of clopidogrel and omeprazole in time will not reduce this drug interaction. Other drugs that are expected to have a similar effect and should be avoided in combination with clopidogrel include: cimetidine, fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, etravirine, felbamate, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and ticlopidine. Subscribe to Drugs Information Center by Email

Dosing Information Adult: In Angina pectoris, chronic, initial, 500 mg orally twice daily; increase to the maximum recommended dose of 1000 mg orally twice daily as needed based on clinical symptoms. Pediatric: Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients. Contraindications • Concurrent use of potent and moderately potent CYP3A inhibitors, including diltiazem, verapamil, macrolide antibiotics, HIV protease inhibitors, ketoconazole and other azole antifungals, and grapefruit juice or grapefruit-containing products; increased ranolazine levels and QTc prolongation. • Concurrent use of QT prolonging drugs (such as Class Ia and Class III antiarrhythmics, and certain antipsychotic). • Hepatic impairment, Child-Pugh Classes A, B or C; QTc prolongation is increased approximately 3-fold. • QT prolongation, pre-existing, including congenital long QT syndrome and uncorrected hypokalemia. Precautions • Concurrent use of CYP3A and P-glycoprotein inducers (eg, carbamazepine, phenobarbi...

Asthma is a long-term illness that causes the airways of the lungs to be irritated, make mucus, and to swell. You may have some airway swelling all the time, even when you feel OK. Your airways may also become smaller causing you to have breathing problems or to wheeze. Wheezing is a loud noise you hear when you breathe in or out. An asthma attack happens when your airways narrow making it hard to breathe. Asthma attacks are also called flare-ups, exacerbations, or episodes. Causes : The following may be possible causes of an asthma attack. 􀁺 Air pollution. 􀁺 Animals. 􀁺 Cold weather. 􀁺 Dust. 􀁺 Exercise. Foods. 􀁺 Lung infections. 􀁺 Molds. 􀁺 Pollens. 􀁺 Smoke. 􀁺 Stress. Signs and Symptoms: Breathing faster than normal. 􀁺 Breathing trouble. 􀁺 Cough which may be worse at night or early morning. 􀁺 Drop in peak flow reading. 􀁺 Fast heartbeat. 􀁺 Head "stopped up." 􀁺 Itchy, scratchy, or sore throat. 􀁺 Short of breath. 􀁺 Tight feeling in the chest. 􀁺 Tired. 􀁺 Wheez...

Treats symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, such as problems with memory, concentration, and judgment. How to Use This Medicine : Tablet 􀁺 Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to. Most people need to wait at least one week between dose changes. 􀁺 You may take this medicine with or without food. If a dose is missed: 􀁺 If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose. Warnings While Using This Medicine: 􀁺 Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have epilepsy or liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with your kidneys or bladder. 􀁺 Call your docto...