FDA says Prilosec can block benefits of Plavix

Federal health officials say a popular heartburn medication can block the blood thinning effect of Plavix, reports the Associated Press. Prilosec is taken by millions of Americans to reduce risks of heart attack and stroke. The Food and Drug Administration say the drug Prilosec lowers the effectiveness of Plavix by half. Plavix is the world''s second-best selling drug with global sales of $8.6 billion last year. Because Plavix can upset the stomach, it is often prescribed with acid-blocking drugs. The FDA says patients who need to reduce their stomach acid should take alternative drugs like Johnson & Johnson''s Mylanta or Boehringer Ingelheim''s Zantac.