Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Bextra and Pharmacy Fact Sheet

Hi everyone!!! I have a question regarding Bextra.

Up until recently, when my GP left for the sunnier climes of Ottawa, my Doc had been supplying me with samples of Bextra as I have no drug plan.

I was somewhat startled today (and my bank balance took a kick in the AS too! ) after filling my 'first' script at the pharmacy.

When reading the fact sheet, it states that Bextra should be taken with a full glass of water and....... (and this is the funky part) it follows up by saying "Do not lie down for 30 minutes after taking this medication". Luckily for me, I'm a "one a day gal" and I usually take my meds in the morning, so the urge to lie down right after hasn't been an issue!

Does anyone know the reason why you can't lie down??? I'm going to give the pharmacist a call tomorrow, but I just wondered if anyone here happens to know the answer.

Thanks......... Maxine.

May the roof above us never fall in, and the many friends gathered below it never fall out.

Hi Maxine:

I'm not sure with bextra, but I know with fosamax that you are not supposed to lie down after taking it because it can cause irritation to the esophagus. Probably something similar would apply.

I'm curious now.

I get free samples of Bextra from my rheumy too, my insurance company (already paying big time for Arava) balked at Bextra and rather than fight them I just keep using the samples. One reason I didn't fight them is I found that two Advils did just about the same job as one Bextra, and I haven't noticed that Bextra is any easier on the tummy than other NSAIDs. I really dole out the NSAIDs, try to avoid taking them because we all know the long-term dangers of NSAIDs, and I usually only need them when I've been working out a bit too much. I don't know why it says not to lie down, though, unless it's to prevent, as someone else said, damage to the esophagus, especially if you have acid reflux or heartburn from them.

Cheryl


My guy

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. Author Unknown

Hello Max,

bextra 20's are now $ 99 for #30...in my pharmacy, I too have no insurance.
they're right about the fosamx comment...
AND BEXTRA SHOULD BE TAKEN with FOOD also, most especially if you've ever had a tummy problem.

i picked bextra as being the least toxic, but not most effective nsaid
good luck
aloha Ben

Me too, I've run the gamut of the NSAID's and all of them caused severe stomach problems. I only take the Bextra when I need to, which is why the samples have been the way to go. Alas, I have now lost my Doc with no sight of another.

There is a chronic shortage of Doctors here in Ontario. The Doc I just lost was a 90 minute drive away, quite the trip for a kids ear infection! The Doc is supposed to be sending me a letter confirming all my meds so I can go to a walk-in clinic for help. It isn't the best situation, but the only solution for now.

With regard to taking Advil, I'll ask my pharmacist. She has been real helpful. I don't know if anyone takes pain meds (oxycodone) but if you do, you should be careful about taking Tylenol or Advil. The oxycodone has tylenol in it, so taking extra could actually put you over your daily intake and can cause extensive liver damage. I know that there is a move afoot to remove the tylenlol from the oxycodone, so check with your pharmacist that you have the tylenlol free brand before taking anything else.

I'll call her today and ask about this lying down thing. It very well could be an acid reflux problem. I'll post later.

Maxine

May the roof above us never fall in, and the many friends gathered below it never fall out.

Hi Maxine,

I didn't realize that there was a dr. shortage in ON - I suppose there is in every province unless you live in an bigger urban area. What a drag.

Thanks for the info on oxycodone. I didn't realize that it also contained tylenol.

Catherine

Hi Ben

I take bextra 20mg 1 a day and here they cost for 30 pills $51.46 a month. That is NOT to bad some of my other meds cost me alot more. Maybe you should be comingup here to get your meds.

John