AboutEric Brandt Expertise I am a practicing pharmacist.On my drug information website, I have answered hundreds of questions to date. The articles posted on my site include Parkinson`s disease. depression, menopause, diabetes, sleep and aging, congestive heart failure, calcium channel blockers, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, ADHD, multiple sclerosis an more.
Experience I have experience in retail as well as hospital pharmacy pracice. Currently working in a hospital pharmacy. I am experienced in drug information. Over the last 6 years I have developed a successful web site for drug information. <BR><BR>The addressfor my drug information website is http://www.druginformation.bc.caThere you can read articles on varios areas of health interest. You can also leave me questions which I will personally answer. I also have a free health information newsletter called The Caplet. To subscribe send e-mail to
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Expert: Eric Brandt Date: 5/4/2008 Subject: drug interactions
Question QUESTION: Hello- I take effexor 300 mg., lexapro 20 mg. & lithium 150 mg. for depression, & trazodone 50mg.to help me sleep. I also take zomig 5 mg. once in a while for migraines.
Is it ok to take hydrocodone for pain, & possibly receive a cortisone shot later? (torn cartilage in knee)
Thankyou!
ANSWER: Hi Alex,
I f you took hydrocodone with the other medications medications it would really cloud up your mind. Try to use medications that cause less mental clouding. I suggest trying extra strength acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Mr. Brandt-
1) You did not answer my question about a cortisone shot.
2) If you are a pharmacist, you should know that Lithium should not be taken (or only with very careful monitoring) with NSAID's such as ibuprofen. OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen do not help my knee. That's why I asked about something stronger like hydrocodone.
My orthopedic doctor prescribed Nabumetone,another NSAID that I can't take, so he's not very helpful.
Thankyou.
Answer Hi Alex,
That is correct. Ibuprofen can decrease lithium excretion by prostaglandin inhibition. This interaction is rated as a 3 out of 4 which means it is not an absolute interaction, but caution needs to be exercised. So long as the lithium level is monitored and the dose is adjusted accordingly you should be safe.
A steroid injection should not interfere with the other medications.
I still stand by my previous recommendations.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm
