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medication for acid reflux

Hi
My husband Brian has had CML for just over 2 years and is on Dasatanib as he is intolerant to Glivec. His treatment is basically going according to plan.
However he suffers from acid reflux in the mornings, coughing and choking that leaves him feeling completely unwell when it subsides. He actually started this before his CML was diagnosed but it has gradually got much worse. He has tried all the Gaviscons etc over the counter to no effect. He visited our GP last week who has prescribed a proton pump inhibitor - omeprazole, which is rated highly for this complaint. I have checked through the Dasatanib information and it says that it is not suitable for cml patients because it reduces the dasatanib exposure and to use antacids instead.
So, sorry to be so long winded, I will be phoning my GP tomorrow but wondered if any other CML
people have had this complaint and found a suitable medicine(s) to help. Our GP has no other CML patients and always tries so hard to help.
Love to all

Chris

As I understand it,you need acid to absorb the Dasatanib,but you can use antacids in the morning and take Dasatanib later in the day.
I am on dasatanib,and if I have concerns I talk to the staff at the CML clinic at Kings who work with Dasatanib every day ,
Michael

Hiya Chris ... I'm on Glivec not Dasatinib but I do take Omeprazole everyday. I was prescribed this from the very first day of taking Glivec,I was an in patient at Kings & it was handed to me in the morning medication round along with Allopurinol. I continue to take it as I thought the medication went "hand in hand" . If you have any doubts it may be worth you seeing further advice but I've had no problems with it.
Hope you get it sorted ..
Take Care
Louise.

People who take Glivec may be able to take Omeprazole,BUT Omeprazole blocks stomach acids so you dont take them with Dasatanib,without stomach acid the Dasatanib wont work,a waste of a expensive drug,As I posted you can take antacids,
The side effects for Dasatanib also very from Glivec,I think we should for health & safety reasons just stick to the one drug Dasatanib in this case,Oh a good antacid Ranitidine hydrochloride but ask your consultant who proscribed the Dasatanib.
michael

Many thanks for replies. I have been in touch with Tessa Holyoake's office at the Beatson, Glasgow and she has given the go ahead to take lowest dose 20 mg of omeprazole last thing at night. I think Brian will take the view that he will not use them continuously but when he feels he really needs help.
Thanks again
Chris

Hi Chris.......sorry to hear Brian is suffering with this effect. Apart from the drugs used to neutralise stomach acids (which is not ideal as the digestive acids are essential)Brian could try drinking Aloe Vera Juice before every meal. Just a small glass is needed and it is pretty tasteless. Get the pure juice from you health food shop... most sell this now.
Your can also get this in tablet form which Brian might prefer.

Also he could try digestive enzymes which will replace the digestive acids that have been destroyed by him taking Gaviscon and the other antacids over a long period.... These things just make things worse in the long run and can completely neutralise the acids needed to digest anything..food or essential drugs like dasatinib.

Sandy

Hi - I am on Dasatinib, having changed from Glivec over two years ago. I was prescribed Omeprazole for use when necessary, which it never was really, I also read the drug fact sheet on Dasatinib, and saw as you did, I immediately took this up with HH, and was told quite clearly that there was no problem with taking this reflux med along with Dasatinib. Humm now does this concern us, or are clinicians not telling us somthing. I must say that I very rarely have any reflux problems at all, must be this balanced diet, along with a healthy outdooor life style.
Interested in any comments
Keith

I have the USA drug notes for Sprycel/dasatinib,thats 11 A4 pages, Section 7.2 long term suppression of gastric acid by H2 antagonists or proton pump inhibitors(eg famotidine and omeprazole)is likely to reduce dasatinib exposure,
The concomittant use of H2 antagonists or proton pump inhibitors with sprycel/dasatinib is not recommended.

The above is from the prescribing information written by Bristol-Myers Squibb these are the drug makers,they have every reason to make their drug effective,the better the drug works the more money they make,
point this information out to your consultant,ask them to put their recomendation in writing,

To reduce the acid reflux try a electric bed and adjust it so you head and shoulders are raised,or get a block of firm foam the width of your bed. 6inchs tappering to 0 inchs,so wedge shapped 40 inchs deep.So your head is higher than your stomach,