Takeda to investigate interactions of anti-clotting drugs, PPIs in GERD

DEERFIELD, Ill. A research and development arm of Japanese drug maker Takeda has started a clinical trial to investigate potential interactions between a popular cardiovascular drug and drugs used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Takeda Global Research & Development Center announced Tuesday that it was evaluating published data and communications from the Food and Drug Administration regarding potentially harmful drug interactions associated with use of the anticlotting drug Plavix (clopidogrel), made by Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers Squibb, and certain proton-pump inhibitors, particularly its drug Kapidex (dexlansoprazole).

The FDA recommended that patients using Plavix avoid taking certain PPIs, especially AstraZeneca’s Prilosec (omeprazole) and Nexium (esomaprazole), after studies showed that the drugs inhibited a certain liver enzyme that Plavix requires to function, thus reducing Plavix’s effectiveness. The effect of other PPIs, such as Kapidex, on the effectiveness of Plavix remains uncertain.

The trial is enrolling patients and is expected to be finished this year, Takeda said.