Nexletol And Certain Statin Drugs
Nexletol is typically used with statin drugs to help decrease low-density lipoprotein .* Statins are another group of drugs used to treat high cholesterol.
But taking Nexletol with certain statin drugs can raise your risk for muscle pain or muscle weakness. This happens because Nexletol can raise the levels of these statins in your blood.
The specific statin drugs that interact with Nexletol are simvastatin and pravastatin . If you take Nexletol with these statins, your doctor will likely limit your doses of these drugs.
Be sure to tell your doctor the specific statin drugs you use before you start taking Nexletol.
* LDL cholesterol is commonly known as bad cholesterol.
Allergy Cold And Flu Medications
You should avoid drinking alcohol if you are taking allergy medications or any multi-symptom cold and flu formulation.
Drowsiness and dizziness are common side effects of medications used to treat allergies, colds, and the flu. These symptoms are also common when you drink alcohol. When the substances are combined, the effect is intensified, and your judgment and focus will be further impaired.
The risks associated with drowsiness caused by medication or alcohol are serious, which is why you should never drive or operate heavy machinery while under the influence of any substance.
Avoid alcohol if you are taking:
- Alavert
- Dilantin
Gastroesophageal Reflux And Ulcer Drugs
Though Elder said it may be OK to have one drink if you have heartburn, larger amounts of alcohol can relax the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus, increasing acid reflux. This could produce a burning sensation in the upper chest and a sour taste in the back of the mouth, she explained.
Although Elder said there’s not really any direct reaction between alcohol and proton pump inhibitors, which are the drugs commonly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease , drinking can make heartburn worse.
The holidays can be challenging for people with GERD because there’s often so much tempting food and alcohol. “It’s hard to tell whether it’s eating or drinking that is causing reflux symptoms to flare up,” Elder said.
Alcohol can irritate and erode the lining of the stomach and esophagus, and also increase the amount of stomach acid produced, thus worsening acid reflux as well as ulcer symptoms.
Elder advised people with stomach ulcers to avoid alcohol because it can slow an ulcer’s ability to heal.
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Statins: How The Drug Prevents Heart Attacks And Strokes
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Statins reduce the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood by slowing down the production of cholesterol by your liver. LDL cholesterol is a waxy substance that clings to the inside of your arteries, a mechanism that raises your risk of heart disease. The benefits of taking statins generally outweigh the risks, but it is important to be aware of the side effects associated with the cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Mixing Alcohol With Your Hiv Meds: What You Need To Know
While it’s known that mixing alcohol and drugs isn’t toxic, does it have serious side effects?
For people living with chronic health concerns, its routine to think twice before ordering another drink. And though there is hardly any evidence suggesting an HIV-positive person cant have drinks while on antiretrovirals, one cant help but wonder: Is it worth it?
While its known that mixing alcohol with antiretrovirals isnt toxic, one study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine showed that nearly half of all HIV-positive people have reported skipping or stopping their meds while drinking, which ultimately had an effect on their T-cell count and viral suppression.
Even moderate alcohol consumption can be risky. In fact, according to another study published in Drug an Alcohol Dependence, moderate alcohol consumption may be more harmful to people with HIV so much so that the United Kingdom is currently recommending minimizing the level of alcohol consumption for people living with HIV, AIDS Map reports.
You see, when you drink alcohol, you unconsciously weaken your immune system so that it doesnt fight HIV as well. As a result, there is an increased chance you might experience more side effects.
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Heart Disease In The Uk
Heart and circulatory disease are much more prevalent than you might think. It is the cause of more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK, an average of 450 deaths daily or one every three minutes in the UK. Over 7.6 million people live with heart disease, and it is reasonable to presume that almost all of them are on medications.
More than 200 million people worldwide take statin drugs for their heart-related conditions. There has been debate about the risks and benefits of statins over the years, causing confusion about whether these drugs are safe or suitable for them.
Johns Hopkins cardiologist Michael Blaha, MD explains: Traditionally, statins were viewed as purely cholesterol-lowering drugs. So, it made sense to use them for people with high cholesterol. But they also benefit people with lower levels of cholesterol who are at a high risk of heart disease. So, we now think of statins as risk-reducing drugs.
This dramatic change in thinking means that people who once were not candidates for statins are now prescribed them to lower their risk of heart attack and stroke. And that means more persons are taking statins regularly.
Talk To Your Healthcare Provider
If you drink alcohol you should let your healthcare provider know. Many people underestimate their intake, but being honest with your healthcare provider will ultimately help them take care of you as well as possible. Your healthcare provider knows your medical history and current health status and should be able to advise you about your alcohol use.
Take time to learn about the treatment options for alcoholism whether you are concerned about yourself or a friend or family member. Thankfully, you won’t have to go very far to hear wonderful success stories from people who have been given a new lease on life after quitting.
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Does Alcohol Thin Your Blood
Alcohol is known to increase levels of the good cholesterol, or HDL, and new research shows that it may act as a blood thinner. In the new study, drinking alcohol decreased the clumping together of clotting cells in the blood, a process that can lead to blood vessel blockages in the heart and possibly a heart attack.
The Effect Of Statins On The Liver
It’s not uncommon to have abnormal liver tests when taking statins, but it is important to understand what lies behind this.
There are several different ways to explain how statins affect the liver, so let’s look at changes in liver tests alone clinical liver disease related to statin use, severe liver disease, as well as how statins may actually reduce mortality in some people who already have liver disease.
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Pharmacist Tips For Gemfibrozil
Take gemfibrozil 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner everyday for best absoprtion.
If you are taking gemfibrozil , inform your provider before starting another medication due to possible drug interactions.
To get maximum response from this treatment, follow a diet low in fats, and eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Try to exercise 3 to 4 times a week, for 40 minutes each time. Ask your provider if you need help figuring out your diet or exercise plan.
If your cholesterol and triglyceride levels don’t improve in the first 3 months, gemfibrozil may not be the best medication for you.
Prices for gemfibrozil start at just $9.00 with a GoodRx coupon. Theyre fast, easy-to-use and free!
Risks Of Drinking Alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can actually increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, raise blood pressure, contribute to obesity, and increase the levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood.
Excessive drinking also can lead to heart muscle disease , irregular heartbeat , and stroke. Eventually, heavy alcohol use can leave the heart too weak to pump efficiently, a condition called congestive heart failure.
Because drinking alcohol also has other downsides, including increased risk of some cancers, cirrhosis of the liver, and an increased risk of accidents, the American Heart Association does not recommend that you start drinking wine or any other alcoholic beverages specifically to lower your cholesterol or improve your heart health. Instead, the organization advises watching your weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly to keep your cholesterol levels in check.
If you do plan to drink, check with your doctor first, and drink in moderation — . Some people, especially pregnant women, and those who take certain medicines regularly, should avoid alcohol entirely.
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Nexletol For Lowering Ldl Cholesterol
Nexletol is FDA-approved to help decrease low-density lipoprotein when used along with a low-cholesterol diet and a statin drug. LDL cholesterol is commonly known as bad cholesterol.
Nexletol is approved for this use in adults with heart disease or heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia . HeFH is inherited condition that causes high cholesterol.
It isnt known if Nexletol can lower the risk of heart problems and death related to high cholesterol.
About cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that occurs naturally in your body. Its made in your liver but can also be found in foods such as meat, cheese, and eggs. Cholesterol helps your body perform important functions, such as making hormones and vitamins.
But having more cholesterol than your body needs can lead to serious problems, such as heart disease. High cholesterol can be caused by a lack of exercise and eating too many high-cholesterol foods. But it can also be caused by your genes. HeFH is an example of a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol.
To determine whether you have high cholesterol, your doctor will give you a blood test called a lipid panel. High cholesterol doesnt usually cause any symptoms unless youve developed atherosclerosis, a type of heart disease. Atherosclerosis is a narrowing of the arteries. Its symptoms may include fatigue , trouble breathing, and pain in your chest, arms, or legs.
Effectiveness for lowering LDL cholesterol
In the studies, LDL cholesterol levels:
Interactions Between Gemfibrozil And Other Medications
Gemfibrozil may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with gemfibrozil . Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Ciprofibrate
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Side Effects To Consider
The American Heart Association makes it clear that alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure and a high caloric intake. The more calories you consume, the greater your risk of developing diabetes, a risk factor of high cholesterol. Perhaps the greatest alcohol-cholesterol drug interaction danger occurs when taking a statin, the most commonly prescribed cholesterol medication. You may notice an increase in the drug’s common side effects such as joint and muscle pain, diarrhea, nausea and constipation. There is one rare, but serious, side effect that can develop — liver damage. Alcohol itself can cause this, but statins can increase your liver enzymes, resulting in permanent damage. This side effect has no symptoms early on and is only detected with a blood test your doctor must order, according to MayoClinic.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gemfibrozil
Is gemfibrozil a statin?
Gemfibrozil is a fibrate, which is a class of medications that help with cholesterol problems, especially high triglycerides. Statins also help with cholesterol problems but work differently than gemfibrozil .
Can you drink alcohol while taking gemfibrozil ?
It is best not to drink alcohol if you are taking gemfibrozil . Drinking alcohol while taking gemfibrozil can increase your risk of liver problems. Alcohol can also make gemfibrozil less effective in lowering triglycerides and preventing inflammation of the pancreas. You want to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle in order to get the best effect from taking gemfibrozil .
Does gemfibrozil cause weight loss?
Some people who take gemfibrozil might experience weight loss, though this is not a common effect of the medication. Remember that it is best to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle in order to lose weight, and to get the best effect from taking gemfibrozil .
Why do you take gemfibrozil 30 minutes before meals?
Your body absorbs the most amount of gemfibrozil if you take it 30 minutes before a meal. If you take gemfibrozil after eating food, less drug is absorbed and it won’t work as well.
Is gemfibrozil hard on the kidneys?
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Binge Drinking And Cholesterol Levels
- Binge drinking of alcohol is known to cause an increase in lipid levels.
- Repatha is a medicine that is used to reduce a patient’s high cholesterol levels.
- Therefore binge drinking should be avoided in patients with high cholesterol as it may increase the risk of the patient’s cholesterol levels being increased.
Bottomline:
Why Is Crestor Risky For Heavy Drinkers
- If you are a heavy drinker and have high cholesterol then it is definitely going to prove harmful to your liver and your internal vital organs.
- Now if you are a heavy drinker and consuming both crestor and alcohol, this means a double whammy on the liver and Kidneys.
- So the best counsel for heavy drinkers is to stop combining both crestor and alcohol together, and since cholesterol needs to be controlled using crestor, the only viable option is to stop or reduce drinking alcohol.
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What Other Things Can Harm Your Liver
- It is not always alcohol alone that damages your liver.
- Chronic or long standing abuse of any medication or drug can cause a damage or incompetence of your liver, and create an obstruction in the normal liver functions.
- Many other chronic diseases can take their toll on your liver like viral hepatitis or malaria.
- Metabolic disorders may also cause chronic liver damage and result in cirrhosis or fatty liver.
What Is The Mechanism Of Action Of Nexletol
A mechanism of action is how a drug acts to cause an effect in the body. Nexletol works by lowering the amount of cholesterol that your body makes. To be specific, Nexletol blocks the action of an enzyme called adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase . An enzyme is a protein that helps speed up chemical processes in your body.
For more information, see the How Nexletol works section below.
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What Is Ldl Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that occurs naturally in your body. Its made in your liver but can also be found in such foods as meat, cheese, and eggs. Cholesterol helps your body perform important functions, such as making hormones and vitamins.
But having more cholesterol than your body needs can lead to serious problems, such as heart disease. High cholesterol can be caused by a lack of exercise and eating too many high-cholesterol foods. It can also be caused by your genes.
Nexletol is specifically approved to help decrease a type of cholesterol called LDL. This kind of cholesterol can build up in the arteries and cause them to narrow and harden. When this happens, it can lead to angina or a heart attack.
What Are The Risks Of Drinking Alcohol When On My Medication
If you have chronic medical problems associated with either your liver or kidneys, it will affect the metabolism of the blood thinner. This may make your blood too thin and put you at higher risk of life-threatening bleeding complications.
Even if you have a normally functioning liver and kidneys, alcohol can limit your livers ability to metabolize other compounds. It can also limit your kidneys in excreting the broken down toxins or drugs, like your prescribed blood thinner. This can lead to the same harmful effect of excessive anticoagulation.
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Nexletol And Birth Control
Its not known if Nexletol is safe to take during pregnancy. If youre sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can offer information about your birth control needs while youre using Nexletol.
For more information about taking Nexletol during pregnancy, see the Nexletol and pregnancy section above.
Definition Of Moderate Drinking
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines drinking in moderation as one alcoholic drink each day for women and two drinks for men. Regarding wine, one drink is 5 ounces.
However, researchers who are studying the beneficial effects of alcohol on preventing heart disease define moderate drinking as up to two drinks each day for women and up to four drinks each day for men.
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What Nexletol Does
Nexletol works by lowering the amount of cholesterol that your body makes. To be specific, Nexletol blocks the action of an enzyme* called adenosine triphosphate-citrate lyase . The enzyme helps your liver make LDL cholesterol. By blocking the action of this enzyme, Nexletol decreases your levels of LDL cholesterol.
* An enzyme is a protein that helps speed up chemical processes in your body.