Question:
I need to know what medications are OK to use after RNY.

Is there a list out there somewhere that will tell me if the meds I am prescribed are okay to take after RNY. My docs refer me to pharmacist when I question them about particular medicines I am taking. But I get different answers from the pharmacists. Taking about 10 different meds right now and have a variety of pain meds I need for arthritis pain. I also am taking a sleep med although I still can't sleep over about 2 hours without waking with pain. Now I am having stomach pain and wonder if it is caused by all the meds or combination of. It would be great if there was somewhere I could look to see if all my meds are compatible and not causing more harm than good. In particular, at this time, do you know if it okay to take Prilosic? I really need it. A simple list of "OK's" and "not okay" would be great. Please email me directly as I don't get to read all the regular messages every day. "[email protected]" Thanks so much for any help you can offer.    — Lois B. (posted on March 21, 2003)

March 20, 2003
I would ask my surgeon about the meds. Give him/her the list of meds your on and ask if they can be taken post op. I was on cumadin for a month after my surgery so i had to ask my surgeon what i could take for the flu. Good luck, also, a pharmasist should know if they are compatible to each other but i doubt they would know if they would be ok with your pouch like your surgeon would. Good luck.
   — rachel W.

March 21, 2003
The one that will probably help you the most is your Pharmacist if you get them all filled at the same Pharmacy. They have a computer there that alerts them if you are taking meds that are not compatible together. Your surgeon should be in on this decision as well and your PCP is the main guy to handle your overall health care and should be consulted about it. The only meds I have heard we cannot take are NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Motrin and meds like that. There maybe a host of meds we cannot take, but thats the only one I know of. Good luck to you!!<br> Lap-RNY 1/13/03 -83lbs & Counting!
   — thumpiez

March 21, 2003
I'm sorry, I don't know about your particular medications -- generally, with RNY surgery, we are supposed avoid meds that irritate the stomach lining (such as aspirin, and anti-inflammatories like Motrin). Also, there's some question whether we can absorb certain medications efficiently, such as time-released pills or capsules or gel caps (since fat- or oil-based meds are malabsorbed by us now). If you ask your pharmacist, be sure you get somebody who understands what's been done to you surgically, in order to get good advice. <P>For discussion purposes, here are some lists I found on one <A HREF="http://www.kcwlsfriends.homestead.com/medstoavoid.html"> website </A>. I don't know if these are correct or not, but they're a start:<P> <B>Medications to Avoid:</B> Advil Alka-Seltzer Vanquish Aspirin Bufferin Coricidin Cortisone Excedrin Fiorinol Ibuprofen Motrin Pepto-Bismol <B>Medications That Are Recommended For Colds:</B> Benadryl Dimetapp Robitussin Sudafed Triaminics Tylenol Cold Products <B>Medications That Are Usually Well Tolerated:</B> (Try to obtain sugar free or diabetic formulas for any of these products.) Peri-Colace Panadol Tylenol Tylenol Extra Strength Gas-X Phazyme Colace Dulcolax Suppositories Fleet Enemas Glycerin Suppositories Milk of Magnesia
   — Suzy C.

March 21, 2003
Your surgeon should have a list for you....but in the meantime, a general rule of thumb is that it can't be a capsule, needs to be smaller than a plain M&M and should not contain aspirin or any other Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)....if it's smaller than an M&M and not a capsule, just take it up to the pharmacy counter and say "could you tell me if this has aspirin or NSAIDS in it?" There's a lot of drugs that you wouldn't realize had them in it....like Pepto Bismol...definitely a no-no (according to BTC protocol anyway). Good luck!
   — Lynette B.

March 21, 2003
Dang, this won't help you, but I have to disagree with the previous poster. For what it's worth, I use capsules. My prescription iron pill is a relatively small capsule (but bigger than an M&M) and my calcium citrates are in relatively large capsules. However, the capsule coverings on both are very thin and dissolve very easily. See how they dissolve in your saliva (water alone is not the way to test it) -- if they break down in five minutes, you should be fine (as long as you're not a brand-new postie). Alternatively, you can always break open the capsule (*if* that's recommended), and mix the powder in with a liquid or something like applesauce or yogurt.
   — Suzy C.