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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Medicines Should Be Avoided After A Heart Attack?

I Have been taking the medication Atorvastatin for the past 5 years.Because I had a heart attack.I also take the following medication:CARVEDILOL, LISINOPRIL, CYMBALTA, FENOFIBRATE AND CLOPIDOGREL.My question is can I discontinue any of these medication.
Tue, 13 Jan 2015
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Neurologist 's  Response
I read your question and I understand your concern.

Looking at that list of medications after a heart attack you should definitely take Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel. Also since Carvedilol and Lisinopril have been started that must have been for high blood pressure which is usually a chronic condition so their treatment must be continued unless cardiologist suggests any modification. Usually they or other drugs of same class are continued often for lifetime.
The two drugs which can be looked at are Fenofibrate and Cymbalta.
Fenofibrate is started for increase levels of triglicerides, a type of lipid. However if lipid panel shows trigliceride levels to have returned to normal, since you have another lipid lowering drug like Atorvastatin it can be interrupted. If still high should be continued. So it depends on blood lipid levels which should be checked.
Cymbalta is an anti-depressant drug. Its use is not related to heart attack itself. So a psychiatrical evaluation is necessary to determine if it is still necessary for anxiety or depression. Another common possible use is neuropathic pain, but you don't mention that.

I hope to have been of help.
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What Medicines Should Be Avoided After A Heart Attack?

I read your question and I understand your concern. Looking at that list of medications after a heart attack you should definitely take Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel. Also since Carvedilol and Lisinopril have been started that must have been for high blood pressure which is usually a chronic condition so their treatment must be continued unless cardiologist suggests any modification. Usually they or other drugs of same class are continued often for lifetime. The two drugs which can be looked at are Fenofibrate and Cymbalta. Fenofibrate is started for increase levels of triglicerides, a type of lipid. However if lipid panel shows trigliceride levels to have returned to normal, since you have another lipid lowering drug like Atorvastatin it can be interrupted. If still high should be continued. So it depends on blood lipid levels which should be checked. Cymbalta is an anti-depressant drug. Its use is not related to heart attack itself. So a psychiatrical evaluation is necessary to determine if it is still necessary for anxiety or depression. Another common possible use is neuropathic pain, but you don t mention that. I hope to have been of help.