Medications What to have and what to stay away from.

DRUGS THAT CAN DAMAGE THE POUCH Advil............. Aleve............ Amigesic............ Anacin............ Anaprox................. Ansald................ Anthra-G.............. Arthropan............. Ascriptin.............. Aspirin................ Asproject............... Azolid............... Bextra ................ Bufferin............ Butazolidin........... Celebrex........... Clinorial................ Darvon compounds................. Disalcid................. Dolobid............... Erythromycin............ Equagesic................ Feldene.............. Fiorinal.............. Ibuprofin.............. Indocin............... Ketoprofen.............. Lodine................ Meclomen............... Midol.............. Motrin................. Nalfon............... Naprosyn............. Nayer............... Orudis................ Oruval.............. Pamprin-IB............... Percodan.............. Ponstel................... Rexolate.............. Tandearil............. Tetracycline.......... Tolecin............. Uracel............ Vioxx........ Voltaren............ ALL "NSAIDS" (*see below for the Cox 2 Inhibitors) DRUGS THAT ARE CONSIDERED SAFE.......... Bendaryl................... Tylenol .............. Dimetap.............. Robitussin.......... Safetussin............ Sudafed.......... Triaminics (All)......... Tylenol (cold products)....... Tylenol Ex Strength.......... Gas-X .......... Phazyme........... Imodium Ad.......... Colace....... Dulcolax-Suppositories......... Fleet Enema.......... Glycerin-Suppositories.......... Milk of Magnesia......... Peri-Colace........... * copied with permission: Bextra is the newest, next generation of NSAIDS. It is simply an anti-inflammatory with no compound to aid in the protection of our GI systems. I want to help everyone understand the reason NSAIDS are dangerous for us. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just that they are "pouch burners" as the industry wants us to believe. It goes much deeper than that. According to an article published in the June 1999 New England Journal of Medicine, NSAIDS, once absorbed into the blood stream cause a chain of chemical reactions that affect the prostaglandins and this in turn reduces the production of mucus in the GI system. The mucus is what lines our GI system and protects our pouch and intestines from damage. If the mucus production is reduced, this would allow ANYTHING, including eating something with too sharp of an edge or foods that are extremely spicy, to inadvertently begin a marginal ulcer. The best answer is to avoid NSAIDS at all cost. Taking an H2 receptor drug such as Prilosec, Prevacid or Nexium is only a band-aid and no guarantee that it will protect you. If you are desperate to try an NSAID, my recommendation would be Arthrotec. It is an NSAID with a prostaglandin compound in it that tries to prevent the chemical chain of events I was speaking of in the above paragraph. There are still no guarantees. You are at risk for marginal ulcers any time you take an anti-inflammatory medication. Ultram is a mild narcotic and can be habit forming, so I would not recommend more than a six week course of it at any one time.

I hate to sound stupid but what is a NSAID?? Do the letters stand for something. I've always been embarrassed to ask. Julie

NSAID= Non steroidal anti inflamitory drug Geez Pete- you're an encyclopedia of information that is helpful! THANKS FOR POSTING. Would you belive (gasp!) that I, as perfect as I am, didn't even have a list this complete. What would we do without you? hugs, Lisa

what a wonderful thing to do. I have been wondering about meds that would be harmfull to me after surgery.. thanks Hugs Pattie

Thank God for this list! I can't thank you enough. Now I see in print all the bad things I've been taking. Thanks again Peter!! Tara

Hate to be put the damper on this...but there is debate regarding some of these drugs. For example, my surgeon (and my PCP) says that I can take Celebrex and Bextra as they are very mild on the pouch. Tylenol doesn't do a thing to help me with my arthritis (back and knee). I take Bextra once a day (at night) to reduce the pain. I wish I didn't have to take anything and perhaps as the weight continues to drop, I will be able to stop taking the Bextra. For now, I'm trusting that my surgeon (and PCP) knows what he/she is talking about on this score. Ann 76lbs GONE!

Do you take anything to help reduce the chances of developing a problem?? I understand that each individual surgeon has their own rules, but I would personally prefer to err on the side of caution, expecially since Joanne (my wife) developed an ulcer from 6 months use of NSAIDS. It has been over a year since she started treatment for the ulcer, and some of the effects are still there. She can no longer consume even moderatly spicy foods without it burning in her pouch. Celerbrex is one of the COX 2 enzyme inhibitors and is less of a problem than the NSAIDS by far. Melissa could not stand the effects of Bextra when she was pre-op. Can't even imagine how it would be now that she has been banded. Peter