drug interactions

[mags]

For those that take elavil, what other drugs do you take? I looked up drug interactions with elavil and it seems like you can't take anything with it, not even a sudafed or benadryl! I did call the pharmacist to see if i could still take ultram if i needed it and she said it was only a big risk if you have a history of seizures. I am getting to where i am afraid to take anything with it besides my elmiron!!

[emilyrose197377]

I take elavil and take pain meds with it and never had any side effects . But that Is a choice I make for myself. I can't make the choice for you do what is best for you .

Kim

[vm]

I take it with Elmiron, Detrol LA, Vistaril, Lexapro, the occasional ibuprofen and have taken it with sudafed before, too.

[ICNDonna]

If you purchase all of your prescriptions from the same pharmacy, if there are intereactions, the information sheet you get with your prescriptions should pick up on it through their computer. However, if you're taking over-the-counter or herbal remedies, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if there might be a problem.

Donna

[kadi]

Donna is right, the pharmacy info page tells about interactions. The pharmacist is supposed to check & inform you also!

To double check, I use this website...
http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interaction/ChooseDrugs/1,4109,,00.html

Hope you get some answers soon!

[ICPrincess]

Mags,

What you need to undersand is that when they show drugs that will interact with something, they do not mean that you will get necessarily get sick from it or that it is a "Bad" interaction. Case in point. It lists under Xanax that this drug can interact with Antihistamines (Bendaryl, Hydroxyine), Narcotics, Alcohol and other things but if you look closer, you see that what it does it make you sleepier and that you may become oversedated. You won't get sick but you will be very sleepy, more sedated because you mixed the two.

I was just given Elavil recently but my Urologist knows I take a 1/2 Xanax (Tranquilizer and with this crap, I now need it...lol) at night to fall asleep and I do take 25MG of Bendaryl because I cannot tolerate the other antihistamine most recommended for IC (HYdroxyzine). Think about it. Most doctors prescrive Hydroxyzine and Elavil together so why would Bendaryl be bad if Hydroxyzine (which is far more powerful an antihistamine) is usually prescribed to take together as an IC regimen? What they mean a lot of times by interactions (besides the dangerous ones) is simply that it will interact in some way....making you sleepy...making one drug less effective etc etc. When you read the bottles of most medications now, they say do not take with any calcium or antacid. Now that does not mean you will get sick or have a dangerous reaction. It simply means that the calcium will absorb what ever you have taken it with and will make the mdeication either innaffective or less effective. Hope that helps a little but believe me, I understand you fears. I too worry about interactions and side effects but not all are bad ones, they just put things in general terms sometimes on those sheets. They tell you what will interact but never tell you HOW unless you look it up. :)

[mags]

I have looked some things up and looked a little closer, i just get sick of taking all these meds!!

[theclownster]

Yes, I don't like taking them either. In fact, prior to IC, I hated to take anything over the counter - even for a headache. Now, I take elavil, atarax, ditropan xl, birth control pills, and vytorin(for high cholesterol). It's quite a few of them, but they have all been pretty regular for over a year. It get's easier and when I skip doses, I sure notice the difference. I also take Ibuprofen or aspirin if I get a headache or something. MY doctor advised me to stay away from Tylenol if I could because it tends to be harder on my liver or kidneys (I can't remember which organ) because of how some of meds are digested.

Any time any of my doctors prescribe a new med, I do the following to check for interactions:
1. Make sure the prescribing doctor knows what meds I'm on. I ask him or her if it's okay to take the new med with all the others I take.
2. To be doubly sure it's okay, I take my new script to the same pharmacy that the rest of my meds are filled at and be sure to ask the pharmacist to check for interactions.
3. When I get home, I read the insert from the pharmicist to see if there are possible interactions. (I have found some before when both the doctor and pharmicist told me it was okay to take the med).
4. If an interaction is found I call a couple different pharmacists and ask questions in addition to calling my doctor.
5. I then make an informed decision as to what would be in my best interest and hope for the best.
6. Whenever I start a new med, I try to take it when someone else is with me and when I won't be driving or away from home (just in case).
7. I also type up a list of all my current meds, doctors, pharmacists, emergency contacts, etc. and make sure I have a copy in my wallet and my husband also has a copy - so if something ever happens someone will know what I'm on and who to call.

It's a pain, but it works for me.

Wishing you all success as you manage your medications.

Take Care,
Jennifer

[ICPrincess]

I hear ya Mags. I hate it too. IC is a nightmare. I hate having to take all the stuff I now have to ingest as well but we have no real alternative :(

I am trying the natural products right now as much as possible to see if they can help me out. I refused Elmiron for several reasons. I decided to try the natural version (Cystoprotec which I call my "poor Man's Elmiron") which is known to restore the gag layer as well. I am trying to hard to be easier on my system if I can help it. I am trying Aloe vera because I know it can do wonderful things and has helped IC patients. Elavil is the only big gun I am pulling right now because I don't want to mix and match too many things. I take Elavil, Xanax (only a half at night), Benadryl, Aloe vera Juice and Cystoprotec for now (prelief as well). I am also trying to cut back or cut out on all the things that can irritate my bladder. Hang in there...I know its tough :(