Expert: Dr Alan Galbraith - 12/27/2003

Question
Is there anything I need to be aware of when taking this combination of medications.
omeprazole
norvasc
diclofenac sod tabs
zocor
lotensin hct
plavix
Asacol
Asprin

I feel terrible and every time I go to the Dr. they just want to add another pill.  

Answer
Dear Paulette

This does seem to me to be what we call polypharmacy ie too many drugs. It is also very difficult for me to answer your question fully without knowing a complete history but I can comment constructively,I hope, on some aspects of your treatment.

The main comment is regarding the drugs that you are taking for high blood pressure. You are on three altogether-Lotensin, HCT and Norvasc. This seems to me to be overkill but presumably this has been done to produce a good lowering of your blood pressure. Have they tried monotherapy with a sartan such as losartan? This relatively new group has been proving to be very good on its own or in recalcitrant cases another drug can be added but the fewer the better.

I just read an article recently that cheap aspirin on its own is as good as Plavix which is expensive. I am surprised that you are on Diclofenac as it can increase blood pressure and also cause stomach problems which I presume the omeprazole is given for. It may not be advisable to take aspirin with diclofenac but I presume you are on a very low dose aspirin which may be fine.

Again, I reiterate, I cannot tell you over the Internet what you should be taken but except for, perhaps, the Zocor, Asacol and aspirin I feel that a review of the other drugs is needed. The more drugs that are taken the worse the adverse effects and there is a good chance of creating adverse drug-drug interactions.I do not know your age but the older you are the worse these problems become. Maybe a second opinion is needed.

I wish you luck.

Regards

Dr Alan Galbraith