I can't seem to find a proper answer for this question.....

[Lisa_Louise]

Is it safe to take the combination of Stemetil (for nausea) and Amitriptyline (anti-depressant but a very small dose for my IBS)

I take the stemetil as and when I need to as I get awful nausea with IBS... and the amitriptyline would be taken on a very small dose for the calming of the IBS symptoms)

A professor (from a top London hospital) who is a neurogastroenterologist has asked my own GP to prescribe me amitriptyline which he swears by to calm the bowels of patients with IBS.

Anyone who takes this combination in the way that I would or can give me a firm answer would be really helping me right now!

Thank you :)

[anneasquith]

i think it would be best to talk to a pharmacist. sorry not much help,

[bednobs]

to be honest, how anyone on here will give you a better answer than a neurogastroenterologist who deals with doses and treatments every day is beyond me. If it was absolutely disasterous for tablets to be taken together, it would come up on the doctors computer when she prescribed it. If you use the same chemist, it will also come up with a warning. A lot of drugs have "cautions" when taken together but it dosen't mean they can't be. I would imagine that combination might make you feel more drowsy than normal.
Also, as you have failed to give any doses, or how often you take them, it's hard to give a serious answer.
I hope someone on the combination comes along to help you

[Lisa_Louise]

No probs Ann :)

Bednobs.... sorry I take 5mg of stemetil as and when I need to (approx 3,4 or 5 times a week) and have been asked to take 10mg of ami daily. I've read conflicting information.....

"There may be an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation if prochlorperazine is taken with any of the following - tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline (which can also cause drowsiness)" which I know will probably happen....

then I've read....

"There may be an increase in side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, confusion or heat stroke (in hot and humid conditions) if prochlorperazine is taken with other medicines that have anticholinergic effects, such as the following - tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline"

then I read the one that has got me questioning the professor (Notice the capitals below, to highlight my point here).......

"Medicines that increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm, seen as a 'prolonged QT interval' on an ECG, should be AVOIDED in combination with prochlorperazine. These medicines include the following: tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline"

Is the last paragraph saying that if I HAVE an abnormal heart rhythm then I should avoid ami or does it mean it CAN cause this abnormal heart rhythm?

I'm just hoping that it won't counteract the stemetil and make me feel nauseous even more - which is why I'm taking the stemetil - to stop the nausea!

I have no trust in the medical people anymore as I have been suffering from this condition (labelled by the doctors as IBS!) for quite a few years and I've been pushed from pillar to post and none of them can help me which is why I've now seen a professor.... even he is stumped and has asked me to take the ami for while and see how I go until I speak to him again in March.

(sorry for rambling there!)

[zzxxee]

if you repost this with a heading fao sqad he would be the best person to help you on here he has fab medical knowledge x

[Lisa_Louise]

Thanks Zzxxee.... sqad or squad?? !

[zzxxee]

sqad xx

[boxtops]

lisa_louise, nip down to your nearest chemist tomorrow morning and have a chat with the pharmacist - they are highly qualified and up to speed with all the latest drug interactions etc., they can set your mind at rest. I've had amytriptiline in the past and still take stemetil occasionally now, but never have had them prescribed in combination so I can't advise you about contraindications, but I can certainly advise you to ask your pharmacist. That way you will get first hand advice from someone qualified to give it. (Not that sqad isn't, he is, but you can talk to the pharmacist face to face!)

[Sqad]

<<< I take 5mg of stemetil as and when I need to (approx 3,4 or 5 times a week) and have been asked to take 10mg of ami daily. I've read conflicting information....<<<<<

There should be no problem with your drug interactions..........10mgms of Amytryptiline . is an exceedingly small dose as is 5mgms of Stemetil. Go ahead,as you are only taking the Stemetil "now and then"

<<<<I have no trust in the medical people anymore<<<<

In that case, my advice should be discarded as I am a "medical person"

[Lisa_Louise]

Thank you boxtops :)

[Lisa_Louise]

Hi sqad..

Thank you for replying!
I hope you didn't take offense to my earlier reply about the medical people but I've really had enough of seeing so many doctors and specialists. I ask them questions and they give me answers I they think I WANT to hear and not the actual truth! I'm not labelling all medical people the same (i.e you!) but can you see where I'm coming from?! :)

What is it you do in the medical field?

[Lisa_Louise]

Thanks for your input too! ;)

[Mamyalynne]

Lisa louise
sqad is a porter but a very good one.

Mamya ducks and runs for cover.

Seriously will let him answer you, but his advice is good.

[Mamyalynne]

Here he is hard at work

http://www.newscienti...bots/robotools_04.jpg

[boxtops]

Lisa_Louise, I do feel for you in your frustration. Several female members of our family have similar troubles ranging from IBS to full-blown Crohn's Disease, and each of them has taken months and years to be properly diagnosed, and even now don't seem to be on régimes which fully keep their conditions under control - particularly if they have other conditions as well as they get older, and other drugs interfere with the bowel medications. I wish you well with this - have you joined an IBS support group - there are several online fora and one for Crohn's http://www.crohnsforum.com/ - you might find it helpful to find that other people are in similar situations and can share and recommend with you.

[Sqad]

LOL..Louise.....mamy is ALMOST correct.....a HEAD PORTER no less.

No offence taken.

A retired surgeon.

[anneasquith]

oh mamy ,i wanted to see what sqad would reply................... as to what " fielsd he was in........excuse me lisa.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes sorry Lisa, am not making light of your illnesses as indeed I too suffer chronic IBS, but a little humour can help in any situation.

Excuse me Sqad, who promoted you??

[Sqad]

mamy....was very popular as a porter and I soon realised that I could take "back handers" from the Funeral Directors and also pinch the flowers.......but only as a Head Porter......so that gave me the incentive to work harder and get to the top....Head Porter.

[ttfn]

Nice one sqad ;o)

[Sqad]

ttfn.........I was certainly an high flyer........!!!