AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Principal author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 4th Edition published in November 2003 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question I am taking medication for Heart desease, i.e., Coreg 6.25 mg twice daily, Coumadin 4mg daily,Cordarone 200mg daily, Isosorbide mononitrate 120mg daily, Isosorbide dinitrate 40mg evening and Lisinopril 20mg daily. I have chronic pain from Arthritis (back, hands, feet) that sometimes gets quite severe to the point of temporary disability. I cannot take codein because it makes me nauseous. NSAIDS do not work with me. Is there a pain medication I can take that will not interfere with the medications I am already taking? Also I just learned of the pulmonary complications of taking Cordarone (15 years for me). Is there an alternative to Cordarone?
Answer Dear Dutch
Have you tried the newer types of NSAIDs such as celecoxib (Celebrex)? The use of these drugs in persons with cardiovascular disease is fraught with problems but used judiciously can be OK. Otherwise your only other options are the disease modifying drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis (they are not good in osteoarthritis). From your email I would conclude that you have the rheumatoid variety.
The other option is a using an opiate other than codeine. Tramadol can be tried as it has much less problems associated with it and is not really addictive. If tramadol is not good enough a more potent opiate such as oxycodone may be needed.
