Noticed another video on one of the web pages Joan posted. Apparently, there have been three studies within the past year that concluded Nexium and related heartburn medicines can interfere with Plavix.
They aren't sure exactly why, yet. They think the Nexium may be interfering with Plavix metabolism in the liver. It is possible that simply waiting an hour or so after taking the Plavix before taking the Nexium will fix the problem.
If Plavix is used to prevent clotting by working against plaque build-up in the arteries, how does that make it a blood thinner? I thought thinners blocked actions like platlets perform. Seems like fighting plaque build up is like clearing gunk to make the passage open. ???
If you have plaque buildup, the plaque may eventually rupture. This causes platelets in the blood to stick to the damaged area (similar to a scab forming on the skin) by clumping together and forming a clot. The clot can reduce or completely block the flow of blood through an artery. Or it can break free and travel through the circulatory system until it reaches a blood vessel to narrow for it to pass, and block the flow of blood there. Too near the heart, the clot can cause a heart attack. In the brain, it causes a stroke.
Plavix helps prevent platelets from sticking together, so that blood clots are less likely to form, at the site of a ruptured plaque or at the site of a wound or other damaged tissue.