elavil and tagament don't mix!

[Nicole in ATL]

I've been having a lot of stomach problems, seems to be an ulcer, so I have been taking OTC meds to help it.

Started with axid and then switched to tagament b/c it was cheaper. The tagament box did not say anything about interactions with antidepressants or elavil (I'm on elavil). I took 3 doses of the tagament and then started feeling really crappy while at work: dizzy, faint, heart pounding, nausea, numb finger tips, etc. It was scary.

I decided to do a drug interaction check on-line, since I just started the tagament and found a moderate interaction between elavil and tagament. The tagament blocks the metabolism of the elavil, so you end up with large amounts of elavil in your body. And it can be toxic.

Scary!!! I told my boss what was going on with me and to get her opinion (she is a nurse practioner). She suggested to just wait it out, that I should be better in a day or so. And to not take the tagament or the elavil for a day.

I did feel better after 24 hours. Scary though. Apparently tagament interacts with a lot of stuff. I wish it had been on the box, and I'm glad I am not taking a higher dose of elavil or it could have been worse.

The moral of the story, as always, check with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing medications!!

I am taking prilosec now for my stomach (doc recommended) and am having no problems.

Just wanted to pass this info along.

Nicole

[poetgirl]

Hi Nicole,

Wow -- that is really scary. I'm glad you're feeling better now. Thanks for the heads-up. I wouldn't have known about the interaction between Elavil and OTC meds like Tagament either.

Has the Elavil been helping you? Last time we chatted, you had just started taking it.

[ICNDonna]

Anyone who is taking prescription medications should check with the ordering physician before mixing with over the counter remedies, including herbals.

And it's always a good idea to check with a pharmacist before taking combinations of over the counter treatments and/or herbal medications.

Some combinations can be deadly.

Warm healing thoughts,
Donna

[Iris]

Hi that must have been scary, I know I am on Elavil, and other meds, and like Donna posted, I always check with my pharmacist before taking any over the counter stuff, glad you are feeling better, hugs Iris.

[Nicole in ATL]

I really screwed up on this! And I am usually very careful about my meds. I will be extra vigilant about checking from now on.

Poet: I'm doing O.K. I was better but for the past 2 weeks I've been worse. I think it is stress related, as the wedding planning has my head spinning most of the time. But I'm hanging in there.

Nicole