I am taking Levothyroxine and need to take Prevacid for acid reflux. Both say take before eating breakfast. How do I handle this?
Why should you not take at the same time you take an acid reducer like Prevacid?
Question posted by scrutch on 30 April 2010
Last updated on 23 May 2023 by gaylekleinman
3 Answers
gaylekleinman
22 May 2023
I have been on Synthroid over 9 years, then became sensitive to it because of the inactive ingredient of 'Acacia' in it. I then switched to Tirosint gel capsule with only gelatin and levothyroxine in it with no problem for almost 2 years now. All this time I have had acid reflux/GERD from starting on PPI's and doctor did not tell me to only use it for around 3 weeks (needs to be weaned off of PPI's slowly if using longer than than because of rebound/increased acid production). Now I am stuck having to take a PPI, but switch between Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole (Prevacid), and Dexlansoprazole (generic Dexilant). They are only working now a few days to 3 weeks at a time. All the blood tests I have had for my thyroid have been as they should be, and my endocrine doctor said it's okay to take a PPI 1 hour after levothyroxine, but I wait 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours between levothyroxine and PPI pill.
I had thyroid cancer, so doctors all say I need to be hypothyroid the rest of my life, and I am only 67 years old. I started levothyroxine after thyroid glands removed (was only papillary thyroid cancer luckily), which was at beginning of 2016. Take both medications and still cancer free! Eat breakfast 1 hour after taking the PPI pill.
rachey
30 April 2010
If your doctor specifically told you to separate levothyroxine from all other medications, then I guess I would do my best to separate it.
However, if you just read that antacids should not be taken with levothyroxine, the antacids that they are refering to are ones that contain calcium or iron (Tums, Mylanta, or Rolaids for example). The calcium and/or iron is thought to bind the levothyroxine. Although Prevacid is taken for acid reflux, it is actually classified as an proton pump inhibitor, and does not contain calcium or iron.
You can always go ahead and double check with your doctor or pharmacist to be safe, but I'm pretty sure that its ok to take them together!
kellyandtodd
30 April 2010
That is hard to take 2 or 3 meds before breakfast and you can not take togther,the best way my husband does it is he will take one early in the morning like when gets up to go to the bathroom or when he first gets out of bed at 7 he will take his nexium and then when he sits down for breakfast he will take the other one that way the first pill can almost be dissolved,some mornings he will skip breakfast and have a early lunch.hope this helps
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