Should I be taking these 2 drugs together?

[BioAdoptMom3]

I am on lipitor for high cholesterol. Yesterday I went in with a sinus infection and was perscribed biaxin (same doctor). This is my second day taking it. Today I heard that those two drugs can have adverse interactions which affect the liver and muscles. I am giving my doctor the benefit of the doubt because I am on only 5 mg. (10 mg. tablets cut in half) of lipitor so maybe its a low enough dose that she is reasoning that it will not cause me any negative side effects. Does anyone know? Should I call tomorrow and ask for a different antibiotic?

TIA!

Nancy

[GLSheridan]

Originally Posted by BioAdoptMom3

I am on lipitor for high cholesterol. Yesterday I went in with a sinus infection and was perscribed biaxin (same doctor). This is my second day taking it. Today I heard that those two drugs can have adverse interactions which affect the liver and muscles. I am giving my doctor the benefit of the doubt because I am on only 5 mg. (10 mg. tablets cut in half) of lipitor so maybe its a low enough dose that she is reasoning that it will not cause me any negative side effects. Does anyone know? Should I call tomorrow and ask for a different antibiotic?

TIA!

Nancy

These 2 drugs have a major drug-drug interaction. It's certainly suggested to avoid use of the 2 drugs at the same time. Did a pharmacy fill this prescription for you without consulting your physician?

[BioAdoptMom3]

Thanks for your help! My doctor gave me samples of both so I hadn't filled either script until I got the antibiotic tonight. I did call the doctor yesterday though and they advised me to stop the lipitor until I finished the antibiotics. There are so many effective antibiotics out there though that I was surprised she just didn't change that. I am also concerned that she did perscibe both of them. My pharmacy is good about noticing things like that so they probably would have alerted me if I had filled both.

I really appreciate your reply.

Nancy

[GLSheridan]

Originally Posted by BioAdoptMom3

Thanks for your help! My doctor gave me samples of both so I hadn't filled either script until I got the antibiotic tonight. I did call the doctor yesterday though and they advised me to stop the lipitor until I finished the antibiotics. There are so many effective antibiotics out there though that I was surprised she just didn't change that. I am also concerned that she did perscibe both of them. My pharmacy is good about noticing things like that so they probably would have alerted me if I had filled both.

I really appreciate your reply.

Nancy

No problem. Unfortunately, physicians aren't always adequately trained in drug use-- thus the role of the pharmacist.

As far as changing drugs, for the future, Zithromax is in the same class as Biaxin, but doesn't seem to have the drug interaction. Just something to keep in mind.

Hope you feel better!

[BioAdoptMom3]

Thanks again and thank you so much for the other helpful info! I will certainly keep that in mind.

Nancy