Doctors Offer Nexium And Stroke Patients Have Fewer Ulcers

For patients who have had a heart attack or stroke, drugs to prevent platelets in the blood from sticking together are routinely prescribed. One of the most common drugs prescribed is Plavix, which has shown to prevent blood clots, also has exhibited the potential to cause stomach ulcers. Some physicians have switched to Nexium and stroke patients have reported a reduced incidence of ulcers.

About 90 percent of heart attacks and nearly 80 percent of strokes are caused by blood clots. They can wander through the body and block heart arteries causing a myocardial infarction or travel into the small arteries in the brain, causing a stroke. Many claim that aspirin can help prevent blood clots much the same as Plavix, but aspirin is also blamed for stomach ulcers. Patients taking aspirin for prevention of stroke and Nexium for preventing acid reflux are indicting a happier lifestyle.

Other physicians, however argue about the ability of aspirin to prevent the formation of blood clots as well as even a 75 milligram daily dosage of Plavix. Their claim that taking Nexium and stroke patients hiding stomach problems of using aspirin, may be hiding the continued risk of a subsequent stroke of heart attack.

Many Claims Stomach Problems Are Temporary

Several patients using Plavix have shown stomach problems when they first began using the drug. However, as their body became used to having it in their system, the issues were reduced or disappeared. While using Nexium and stroke drugs may be a beneficial combination, there are no accurate studies to detail the safety of using them both.

A consultation with the primary medical provider should take place for any patient considering not taking their Plavix prescription and switching to Nexium and stroke patients who do make the change will need continued monitoring to insure the combination is providing the needed benefit. Nexium is a proton pump inhibitor and suppresses the pump from producing acid into the stomach. Prolonged use of this or any such product is not recommended.

While the benefits for sufferers of acid reflux are well documented, its use should be interrupted for a lengthy time after its three or four week use. With the effects of Nexium and stroke patients ulcer potential from Plavix, it may be possible to alternate treatment methods but it should never be done without the advice and supervision of your doctor. Even lower strength Nexium available over the counter should not be substituted for Plavix without your doctor s knowledge.