10 replies to this topic

[Jerry.s]

I am wondering if anyone had acid reflux problems with gleevec and switched to other tki and had less effects . When I first started gleevec the acid reflux wasn't bad . My potassium levels keep dropping so they also have me on potassium and that really when the acid kicked into over drive. The gleevec is robing my potassium ,do other TKI's also do the same ?
I would rather not use the Prilosec but life pretty tough with out it. I did a test this weekend and I stopped taking it for 3 days and it went well until the Sunday night when all the symptoms came back. I don't really feel the heart burn anymore I just start swallowing in the back of the throat and then I get a discomfort in my throat. I took a Prilosec and it goes away pretty fast . I have only been on gleevec for 4 months and find it hard to think I developed GERD that fast . My teeth have become super sensitive with cold or hot or sweat , which could be the acid breaking down the enamel . On a good note my stomach pain has settled down after taking the Prilosec for a month. I think I am also going to see a gi specialist as soon as I catch up on some of these bills .

I guess this is few question in one . Thank you in advance .

[Frogiegirl]

 Weird I just got diagnosed with esophagitous and gastrolitous spelling is all wrong lol anyway I'm on tasigna and never had this problem before. they prescribed me Prilosec 20 mg but said I was taking a chance at knocking myself out of my good response because of the absorbtion issues with tasigna. So I really am not sure if all the tki's cause this or what?? also I'm scared now to try the Prilosec  but the pain is kicking me bum

[Jerry.s]

Hey frogiegirl how were diagnosed with those ? Did the scope you down your throat ?

[August1]

Hi Jerry,

I've had acid reflux for a number of years and it got pretty bad while on Gleevac. I would take the medication before bed and I can remember the acid actually waking me up at night. I've switched to Sprycel and still do get an acidic stomach so yes, I do think TKIs in general can impact digestion and the GI tract. I now take my meds in the morning so they'll be absorbed long before I go to bed. 

 

Because I have a long history with reflux (even pre-CML) I saw a gastroenterologist and he did an upper endoscopy and I'm now taking a medication to help control the acid.

 

The issue is that medications such as PPIs and antacids can impact TKI absorption. My numbers are "OK" overall and I'm hovering around MMR although it took me a while to get here. Despite this doctors on both sides are OK with me continuing my current course of treatment because I am at high risk for esophageal issues related to acid reflux. Given that reflux is fairly new for you that probably not the case.

 

TKIs love an acidic environment so you'll need to weigh your level of comfort with your rate of absorption. 

 

You could always see a GI doc for more advice but check with your oncologist as well.

 

I've since had a couple of follow up endoscopies and, for me, the PPI medication has helped a lot but I do get concerned with my rate of TKI absorption. So I continue to monitor on both fronts. 

[rcase13]

I have had GERD for a number of years as well and take Tasigna. I take my Tasigna at 6am and then again at 6pm. I take Pepcid at 8am and again at 8pm. Basically two hours after taking Tasigna per the instructions on the Tasigna website. The Pepcid tends to only work for about 10 hours so by the time I take the Tasigna it has worn off and I have a lot of acid. I can feel it when the Pepcid starts to wear off. Between the Pepcid and a strict diet I am able to ward off the worst of the GERD. Note I said most but not all. I'd certainly rather take a PPI but I don't want too risk it. I am able to get low PCR numbers with this method.

I think the key is to time the acid reflux pill so your taking the TKI when the reflux pill is wearing off. Also take the TKI with orange juice. By the time I take my Tasigna the Pepcid has worn off and I am usually starting to burp acid... LOL if I took the TKI with orange juice I would probably burp fire!

[Frogiegirl]

Jerry, Yep the scope and the other fun one(colonoscopy)

[Jerry.s]

Hi Jerry,
I've had acid reflux for a number of years and it got pretty bad while on Gleevac. I would take the medication before bed and I can remember the acid actually waking me up at night. I've switched to Sprycel and still do get an acidic stomach so yes, I do think TKIs in general can impact digestion and the GI tract. I now take my meds in the morning so they'll be absorbed long before I go to bed.

Because I have a long history with reflux (even pre-CML) I saw a gastroenterologist and he did an upper endoscopy and I'm now taking a medication to help control the acid.

The issue is that medications such as PPIs and antacids can impact TKI absorption. My numbers are "OK" overall and I'm hovering around MMR although it took me a while to get here. Despite this doctors on both sides are OK with me continuing my current course of treatment because I am at high risk for esophageal issues related to acid reflux. Given that reflux is fairly new for you that probably not the case.

TKIs love an acidic environment so you'll need to weigh your level of comfort with your rate of absorption.

You could always see a GI doc for more advice but check with your oncologist as well.

I've since had a couple of follow up endoscopies and, for me, the PPI medication has helped a lot but I do get concerned with my rate of TKI absorption. So I continue to monitor on both fronts.

[Jerry.s]

Thanks Bill , I did have some acid reflux about 13 years ago but it because I was super heavy . I lost about 60 pounds and I was able to calm it down with a little as a glass of milk . This is crazy different but its a lot better with the Prilosec . They gave me prescription for 40 mg twice a day I am trying to take it only once a day and it mostly helps but I ve also cut out coffee, soda , tamateo and onions . My teeth have also become super sensitive which could be the acid eroding my teeth .

[Jerry.s]

Thank you rcase and frogiegirl . I am gonna try to make a appointment with a gi guy and see whT they say

[Billie Murawski]

Hi Jerry,

When I was on Gleevac I was on 80mg nexium it didn't interfere with my numbers at all. I read that Nexium is safe to take with Gleevac,but they change things everyday so check with Trey. I was taken off Nexium because I am on Plavix, so now I take Protonix , I have Barets and my esophagus cannot take any more damage. So far I'm still pcru.  You can buy Nexium over the counter but check with your onc. first.                         Good Luck   Billie

[Jerry.s]

Thanks Billie , my Onc wants be to stop taking the potassuim pills to see if it helps with my acid reflux. Today is day two of this experiment hopefully it does the job . If it doesn't I am going to switch to nexium . Did you take the 80 mg at once or split in the day ?