RPM Campaigns Blog

Archive for October, 2009

So, can a torn rotator cuff heal? Of course, the answer is yes. A torn rotator cuff can definitely be healed provided the injured person seeks medical attention immediately. If you simply ignore the injury, treatment options will be more serious and more complicated.

There are non-surgical treatment options that can heal a torn rotator cuff. These options are fairly simple and would help give the injured person some much-needed pain relief. These treatment options will also improve the range of movement of your shoulder.

Non-surgical treatment options include rest. While this may be a simple solution, rest is crucial since this prevents the tear from getting any worse. A person with a torn rotator cuff should limit any overhead movement of the arm. They should also avoid lifting any sort of weight on the injured arm. Using a sling will help the person prevent any unnecessary movement and stress on the shoulder. With adequate rest, the rotator cuff may heal much faster.

Physical Therapy is another way of helping the rotator cuff to heal properly. This step will help develop strength in the rotator cuff so it will be less susceptible to injuries. Therapy, coupled with ant-inflammatory medications will help alleviate pain. Cortisone injections will help make any swelling subside so therapy can proceed immediately.

If these methods do not alleviate the pain, surgery may be an option. Surgery is also recommended for people who injured the rotator cuff on their dominant arm. For athletes and other people whose arm movements are extremely relevant in their line of work, surgery can help restore full strength and motion.

The condition of the rotator cuff tear will determine the type of surgery you need to have. If the thickest part of the tendon has a complete tear, the surgery you will have entails stitches that will bring the sides of the tendon back together.

If your tear is more severe and the tendon has been torn from where it is attached from the humerus, your surgeon will have to re-attach it. However, if you have a small tear, all you need is the trimming procedure or debridement. Once the surgery is completed, the arm must be immobilized for a certain amount of time. So can a rotator cuff heal? Certainly it can.

Whether you are on a low carb diet or not, sugar is damaging to the body in many ways. The following is just a partial list of some of sugar’s consequences from a variety of medical journals and other scientific publications. To find out more about why sugar is an addiction and how it upsets your whole body chemistry, read “Lick The Sugar Habit” by Nancy Appleton, PhD. The research in her book contributed to this article.

1. Sugar can suppress the immune system.

This is probably the most important reason to avoid sugar, whether you are trying to stick to a low carb diet or not. The information here comes from two different research projects that have been done at Loma Linda University. The research evaluated the effects of sugar on phagocytes, the white blood cells of the immune system that eat up bad bacteria and foreign invaders. To put it simply, the more bacteria consumed by the phagocytes, the stronger the immune system, and the less chance for disease. One of the Loma Linda studies showed that sugar caused the phagocytic index to drop dramatically which had a negative effect on the amount of debris that could be removed by the immune system.

2. Sugar can upset the body’s mineral balance.

Minerals such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, iron and zinc are crucial to bodily functions. If there is a shortage of just one of these minerals, the entire system can be thrown out of balance. With just two teaspoons of sugar, micronutrients in the body can change radically, throwing the blood chemistry out of balance. Some mineral levels increase, some decrease, and delicate ratios are upset. So, even a little sugar can negate the effects of consuming extra calcium or mineral supplements. If you are on a low carb diet and concerned about getting enough of the right nutrients, this is another good reason to avoid sugar.

3. Sugar can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, and concentration difficulties in children. Oh, and did we mention, obesity?

Take a look at Saturday morning TV ads or the breakfast products on grocery store shelves and it seems that sugary cereals are part of the standard American diet for children. Sugar Smacks, Cap ‘N Crunch, Corn Pops, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, Lucky Charms and Trix are just a few of the cereals loaded with sugar that are still being eaten by kids everywhere before they head off to school. Even something as healthy as oatmeal is full of sugar in those instant flavor variety packs. You may think oatmeal is a good low carb, high fiber food, but once the sugar is sprinkled on it, oatmeal is no longer part of a low carb diet. In addition, look at all the sugar being consumed by children in sodas and other products that are loaded with high fructose corn syrup.

Writing for The Journal of Abnormal Psychology in 1986, J. Goldman noted in “Behavioral Effects of Sucrose on Preschool Children” that a dose of sugar equivalent to that found in a 12-ounce soda did indeed disrupt the performance of children at school. It caused their concentration levels to decrease and their inappropriate behaviors to increase. It is important to note that in 1976 the sugar industry found it was less costly to make sugar from corn than from beets or sugar cane. Since then, high fructose corn syrup has replaced sucrose as a sweetener in processed foods and sodas. It has been shown that fructose causes the white blood cells of the immune system to become inactive and unable to defend the body against harmful intruders. Anyone on a low carb diet should watch out for high fructose corn syrup.

4. Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and gray hair.

When sugar is consumed on a regular basis the pancreas can become over stimulated and secrete too much insulin. Excess insulin can cause a drop in normal blood sugar levels and hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, may develop. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include fatigue, memory failure, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, headaches and depression. These may sound like diseases of the elderly, but more and more young people are experiencing these warning signs. If you notice any of these symptoms, try removing sugar from your diet and see what happens. If nothing else, sticking to a low carb diet with less sugar will probably give you more energy.

5. Sugar can cause arthritis.

Arthritis is another disease that has been linked to old age, but now there are many indications that sugar is playing a role in younger people developing arthritic symptoms. As mentioned earlier, a body that is suffering a mineral imbalance may produce inflammation in the bones, joints and cartilage due to the accumulation of toxic minerals, mostly calcium. Once again, the delicate mineral balance has been upset by too much sugar. When one mineral decreases, another may increase, and in some cases, excess calcium will end up in joints, causing arthritic spurs and other problems associated with bone diseases. Simply eliminating sugar and consuming a low carb diet, may result in weight loss, which will help take some of the stress off those achy knees and ankles.

This is just a short list of the many ways that sugar contributes to health challenges. It is hard to avoid sugar in foods being sold at grocery stores. However, on the Internet, you can find low carb foods, healthy snacks for a child, nutrition for athletes and other all natural foods that are not loaded with refined sugar. Have you ever heard of stevia? It is the one sweetener that may actually be good for maintaining normal blood sugar levels, and healthy for those on a low carb diet. Stevia is not an artificial sweetener as it is made from the stevia plant. Stevia has been used by indigenous peoples of South America for centuries as a nutritional food supplement. So, there are ways to avoid over consumption of sugar, but it takes some diligence and awareness. Watch out for high fructose corn syrup, dextrose and dextrin. These are just as bad for you as eating refined, white sugar right out of the bag.

Unknown to most people is the fact that everyday foods and Herbal supplements can and do interact with popular prescription medications. I became interested while talking to my Pharmacist that my son couldn’t take decongestant cold medications with his heart medication. Well, I knew about interactions between two drugs, but when the Pharmacist told me he couldn’t have grapefruit juice, I was stunned. Seems that grapefruit juice increases the blood concentrations of the drug. Basically that means that it greatly enhances the effects of the drug which could result in an overdose of the medication. This is everyday grapefruit juice! It got me wondering about other everyday foods and Herbs we take. Below are a few foods and Herbs that have an effect on your medications.

This list is a basic guide, and is by no means the meant to replace your Doctor or Pharmacist. Consult with them about any prescriptions you are taking and the foods and Herbs that will interact with them. Although I have taken this information from a handout from a local Hospital, Use this information at your own risk. Again, I am not a Doctor or Pharmacist, and I have had NO medical training, so please consult with yours for more information.

People usually ask if Herbal supplements change the way their prescription drugs work. The answer is YES! Some medications should never be taken with Herbal supplements. Some can cause unwanted side effects or cause the medication to stop working to their full effect.

Another misconception about supplements is that they are completely safe because they are natural. Yes, they may be from plants, but they are not natural to your body. Herbal supplements are not tested or inspected like prescription drugs are tested, so the supplements vary in quality and strength from pill to pill and bottle to bottle.

Just like supplements, foods can change the way your body responds to medications. One example is grapefruits and grapefruit juice. Many people aren’t aware that grapefruit juice can increase the drug levels of certain medications. An increase in the levels will also increase the side effects of the drug.

Things to Remember

1. Herbal supplements and foods can change the way your medications work.
2. Tell your caregiver what Herbal supplements you take and what foods you eat often.
3. Ask your Doctor or Pharmacist what Herbal supplements or foods will interact with your medications.
4. Always talk with your Doctor or Pharmacist FIRST before taking any Herbal supplements.

DISCLAIMER: The following charts are not all inclusive and do not contain every interaction of drugs with foods and herbs. It serves as a guide only. Consult with your Doctor, Pharmacist or a registered dietician if you have any questions.

Analgesics (Pain Relievers)

Aspirin
Celecoxib (Celebrex)
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
Naproxen

Food: Avoid alchohol. Avoid large amounts of orange juice and vitamin C.
Herbs:Avoid Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Flaxseed Oil, and Ginko as it increases the risk of bleeding.

Narcotics
Codeine (Tylenol #2, 3, 4)
Morphine (MS Contin)
Oxycodone (Oxycontin/Percocet)

Foods:Avoid alchohol.
Herbs:Do not take with Kava or Valerian as it may make you feel drowsy.

Antibiotics

Ciproflaxacin (cipro)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

Food: Take 2 Hrs before or 6 Hrs after antacids, dairy products amd multi-vitamins that contain calcium, iron, zinc, or magnesium. Avoid large amounts of caffeine.See Chart 3 below.
Herbs:

Methronidazole

Foods:Avoid alchohol during and 3 days after taking this medication to avoid nausea and vomiting.
Herbs:

Penicillin

Foods:Citrus fruits/juices and carbonated beverages will decrease desired effect.
Herbs:

Tetracycline

Foods:Take 2 Hrs before or 6 Hrs after antacids, dairy products amd multi-vitamins that contain calcium, iron, zinc, or magnesium.
Herbs:Dong Quai or St. John’s Wort increase the risk of sunburn.

Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)

Foods:May cause rash if taken with alchohol.
Herbs:Dong Quai or St. John’s Wort increase the risk of sunburn.

Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Food: Avoid alchohol. Avoid foods high in Vitamin K: beef liver, oils and green leafy vegetables (broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, collards, spinach).
Herbs: Avoid Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Flaxseed Oil and Ginko as they increase the risk of bleeding. Do not take St. John’s Wort as it may decrease the desired effect.

Cholesterol Lowering Agents

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)

Food: Avoid alchohol. Do not take with grapefruit juice.
Herbs: St. John’s Wort may decrease desired effect.

Diabetes Medications

Glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL)
Glyburide (Glynase, Micronase)
Metformin (Glucophage)

Food: Avoid alchohol.
Herbs: Do not take with Ephedra as it may increase blood sugar and decrease desired effect.

Erectile Dysfunction

Sildenafil (Viagra)
Tadalafil (Cialis)
Vardenafil (Levitra)

Food: Do not take with grapefruit juice.
Herbs: Do not take with Yohimbe as it may increase side effects.

Gastrointestinal Agents (Stomach Meds)

Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Food: Do not take with alchohol.
Herbs: Do not take with Dong Quai, Kava, St. John’s Wort or Valerian as they may make you drowsey.

Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Foods: Avoid alchohol. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after antacids. Limit caffeine intake; see Chart 3.
Herbs: St John’s Wort may decrease desired effect.

Lansoprozole (Prevacid)
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Pantoprazole (Protonix)
Rabeprazole (Aciphex)

Foods: Avoid alchohol as it may cause upset stomach.
Herbs: St. John’s Wort may decrease desired effect.

Heart and Blood Pressure Medications
*Note: The following herbs may cause an INCREASE in blood pressure and decrease desired effect of any blood pressure medications: Black Cohosh, Dong Quai, Ephedra, Hawthorn, Quassia, Vervain and Yohimbe.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors-
Captopril (Capoten)
Linisopril (Prinivil, Zestril)

Food: Avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium and potassium rich foods; see Chart 1.
Herbs: See *Note above

Beta Blockers-
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol ZL)
Propranolol (Inderal)

Foods: Avoid alchohol.
Herbs: See *Note above.

Calcium Channel Blockers-
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)

Foods: Do not take with grapefruit juice. A low sodium diet may be recommended.
Herbs: See *Note above.

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Foods: Avoid antacids. Limit caffeine intake; see Chart 3 below.
Herbs: Avoid Ma Huang and St. John’s Wort as they may decrease desired effect.

Nitrates-
Isosorbide (isordil, Imdur)
Nitroglycerin Patch (Nitrol)

Foods: Avoid alchohol.
Herbs: See *Note above.

Diuretics (Water Pills)

Furosemide (Lasix)
Hydrochlorothiazide

Food: INCLUDE potassium rich foods in diet; see Chart 1 below.
Herbs: See *Note above under Heart and Blood Pressure Medications.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Estrogen (Premarin, Premphase, Prempro)

Food: Avoid alchohol.
Herbs: St John’s Wort may decrease desired effect. Do not take Black Cohosh Dong Quai, Red Clover or Saw Palmetto because of the possible side effects.

Mood Disorders

Aripiprazole (Abilify)
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Risperidone (Risperdal)

Food: Avoid alchohol. Do not take grapefruit juice. Limit caffeine intake; see Chart 3.
Herbs: Do not take with Kava, St. John’s Wor or Valerian as they may make you feel drowsy.

Benzodiazepines-
Alprazolam (Zanax)
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Diazepam (Valium)
Lorazepam (Ativan)

Foods: Avoid alchohol. Do not take grapefruit juice. Limit caffeine intake; see Chart 3 below.
Herbs: Do not take with Kava, St. John’s Wor or Valerian as they may make you feel drowsy.

Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)

Food: Avoid alchohol. Limit caffeine intake; see Chart 3 below.
Herbs: Avoid Green Tea.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI’s)-
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Foods: Avoid alchohol. Avoid tyramine-rich foods see Chart 2 below.
Herbs: Do not take with Ephedra, Kava, Ginko, St. John’s Wort or Yohimbe as they may increase effect and cause a serious increase in blood pressure.

Selective Seratonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s)-
Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil)

Food: Avoid alchohol.
Herbs: Do not take with Ephedra, Kava, Melatonin, Valerian or Yohimbe as they may make you drowsy. Do not take with St. John’s Wort as it may increase effect of drug and risk of side effects.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA’s)-
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Desipramine (Norpramin)
Nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Foods: Avoid alchohol. Do not take with grapefruit juice.
Herbs: Do not take with Kava, St. John’s Wort or Valerian as they may make you feel drowsy.

Oral Contraceptives (Birth Control)

Estradiol Cypionate
Ethinyl Estradiol
Mestranol

Food: Avoid smoking.
Herbs: Do not take with Chaste Tree Berry, Red Clover, Saw Palmetto or St. John’s Wort as they may decrease desired effect.

Osteoporosis

Alendronate (Fosomax)
Risendronate (Actonel)

Food: Take only with plain water. Do not take anything else within 30 minutes of taking these drugs as they may decrease desired effect.
Herbs:

Seizure Medications

Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, NOT Tegretol)
Divalproex (Depakote)
Oxcarbazepine (trileptal)
phenytoin (Dilantin)

Food: Avoid alchohol. Do not take with grapefruit juice.
Herbs: Evening Primrose increases risk for seizures. Do not take with Kava or Valerian as they may make you feel drowsy. St. John’s Wort may decrease desired effect.

Thyroid Medications

Levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid)
Thyroid (Armour Thyroid)

Food: Limit intake of Brussel Sprouts, cabbage, kale, greens, rutabaga, soybeans and turnips.
Herbs: Do not take with Lemon Balm.

Miscellaneous

Antihistamines-
Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Food: Do not take with alchohol.
Herbs: Do not take with Kava or Valerian as it may make you feel drowsy.

Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)

Foods: Do not take with grapefruit juice.
Herbs: Do not take with Echinacea or St. John’s Wort as they may decrease desired effect.

Prednisone
Methylprednisolone

Food: Avoid alchohol. Calcium supplements may be recommended to prevent Osteoporosis.Limit caffeine intake; see Chart 3 below.
Herbs: Avoid Echinacea or St. John’s Wort as they may decrease desired effect.

Theopylline (theo-Dur)

Foods: Avoid alchohol.Limit caffeine intake; see Chart 3 below.
Herbs: Do not take with Ephedra or Green Tea as it may increase effect of drug.

Foods:
Herbs:

Chart # 1

High potassium rich foods include the following:

Apricots, Artichokes, Asparagus, Avacado, Banana, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Celery,
Chocolate, Dates, Dried Beans, Dried Fruit, Figs, Greens, Honeydew, Milk, Orange Juice, Potato,

Pumpkin, Prune Juice, Raisins, Rhubarb, Spinach, Squash, Tomato, V-8 Juice

Chart # 2

High tyramine-content foods include the following:
Aged Cheese*, Aged Meat,Anchovies, Avacados, Bananas, Beer, Broad Beans, Caffeine

Chicken Liver, Chocolate, Cola Drinks, Canned Figs, Mushrooms, Raisins, Sausages, Sour Cream
Soy Sauce, Wine (Chianti, Sherry), Yeast, Yogurt

*Camembert, Chedder, Gruyer, processed American and Stilton

Chart # 3

High caffeine-content foods include the following:
Chocolate (milk and dark, Coffee (brewed, cappuccino, expresso)
Caffeinated water (Java, Kank, Aqua Blast), Ice Cream (coffee, chocolate)
Soft Drinks (Mountain Dew, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Root Beer, Sunkist Orange Soda)
Teas (green Tea, Ginseng, Snapple Iced Tea, Lipton)

As you’re looking some information on Vitalzym, there’re so many information floating around on the internet, some will give you better understanding, others just give you more headaches, and confusions. I know that you try to search for the latest information, and then compare them, which is good, so you’ll have enough prior knowledge. This article will give you some more insight answers about it, positive and negative point a views, perhaps will answer your questions whether this Vitalzym is really that effective and safe for you.

Vitalzym is systemic enzyme therapy. They use the term “systemic” because the mix enzymes inside Vitalzym will support throughout your body in every system and organ. And this’s different from digestive enzymes that are used to conduct their actions in the stomach to digest food, while systemic enzymes are designed to survive the stomach’s acid. This way they pass through the stomach into the intestines, where they are absorbed into the body, that allow the Vitalzym to go to the whole system and organ, and give us full benefits.

In case you don’t know, enzymes are the fundamental and essential to human. They do a lot of important things. Without them people will never live. Something that you have to understand, according to the study, when people are over 27 years old, its production start decrease. When it happens, the body tends to have minor break down to your growth, digestion, breathing, reproduction and most other function. It will get worse if you do nothing about that. This is why as we age our wounds heal with thicker, less pliable, weaker and very visible scars.

Some people prefer to use Vitalzym to lowered their pain, instead of using aspirin, ibuprofen, celebrex, viox and the rest of the non steroidial anti inflammatory drugs because of the drug side affects. Another fact is as physicians in the US are now discovering, even old scar tissue can be “eaten away” from surgical wounds, pulmonary fibrosis, and kidney fibrosis even keloid years after their formation using it. There are still many health problems that can be cure using this system.

Is Vitalzym safe ? According to manufacturer it’s 100% natural, it’s derived from the plant. You need to pay attention to the recommended dosage for your health problem in order to get full benefit from this enzyme therapy, or it won’t do you any affects. If you don’t know, it’s better to consult that with your health physician. Remember to read the warning too, it’s so important. It says you can’t use the product if you are a hemophiliac or are on prescription blood thinners like coumadin, heparin and plavix.

Since many people have experienced great benefit from Vitalzym systemic enzymes, and perhaps your friend also recommends this enzyme therapy, still it’s gonna your own decision because you’re the only boss here. The important things are you should take care your own body, do the best for them, willing to do the necessary things so you can live your life best. According to the producer this Vitalzym is definitely for everybody, not just for sick people. Hope this will give you clear explanation and help others who really need Vitalzym.

Over-the-counter medication is the first line treatment of GERD is with over the counter antacids like aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel, Maalox) or magnesium combinations include Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia, Gaviscon and Riopan. Aluminum can cause constipation, and magnesium diarrhea. These compounds work by coating the stomach and provide protection against the corrosive effects of stomach acid. Ulcers need more aggressive treatment, since bleeding from ulcers can be life threatening.

The original medications for the treatment of both GERD and ulcers were the histamine-2 (H2) blockers, like cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac) and famotidine (Pepcid). These worked by decreasing the amount of acid in the stomach, which promotes healing of ulcers and reduces gastric reflux. Patients with reduced kidney or liver function can develop confusion with H2 blockers. Side effects include diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, and headache. Tagamet can impair sexual function.

In 1998 AstraZenica introduced Prilosec (omeprazole), the first of a new class of medications for GERD called Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI). PPIs on the market include lansoprazole (Prevacid), pantoprazole (Protonix), rabeprozale (Aciphex), esomeprazole (Nexium), and omeprazole (Prilosec). They act by blocking the H+ (hydrogen) K+ (potassium) ATPase pump in the stomach, which has the effect of decreasing acid secretion in the stomach. The PPIs have been shown to be more effective than placebo in promoting the healing of ulcers and decreasing symptoms of GERD. PPIs lead to a 33% improvement in ulcer healing compared to the older H2 blocker medication, ranitidine. The PPIs decrease acid secretion to a greater degree than H2 blockers, and are more effective in treatment, although they cost more than the older drugs because they are only available by prescription.

PPIs have a low side effect profile, with side effects in less than 5% of patients. The most common side effects are headache, diarrhea, stomach pain, fever, sore throat, and nausea. The diarrhea may be related to suppression of acid formation, which alters the natural bacteria content of the gut. Overall PPIs are fairly safe.

A review of 21 randomised controlled trials of PPIs in patients with proven peptic ulcers showed no effect on mortality, but a reduction in re-bleeding and repeat surgery of about 50%.

There is no evidence that any of the PPIs are superior to one another in efficacy or safety. Since omeprazole (Prilosec) is now available as a generic, it is the cheapest, and therefore recommended PPI.

You have probably seen the man on TV talking about the “purple pill” or Nexium (Esomeprazole magnesium). This particular purple pill is a replacement of the original purple pill, Prilosec. Both should probably be called the green pill because of all the money they have made and continue to make for the manufacturer, AstraZenica. They are both widely popular and equally effective medications. After its introduction in 1998, sales of Prilosec continued to rise year after year until it reached sales of one billion dollars a year in 1995 and peaked at 4 billion dollars a year in 2000 when it was the most popular drug in the world, as reported by National Public Radio (April 18, 2002).

In 2002 AstraZenica convened a team to assess the impact of their blockbuster Prilosec going off patent. In response to the potential revenue loss that generics would cause, they decided to take a variation of the drug (a metabolite) and put it on patent, and then marketed the new version as an improvement on the original. You see, all molecules come in one version, and an identical version that is a “mirror version” (i.e. if you held it up to a mirror it would look the same). In the case of Prilosec, it was a mixture of left and right, but it turned out that the left hand variety worked better. So the company took the left hand version and called it Nexium; they tested a higher dose of the “new” drug against the “old” drug to “prove” that it was better, and sent out an army of sales people to convince doctors that this was the case. Needless to say if you took higher doses of the older Prilosec you would get a regular dose of Nexium, the “purple pill.” It was an effective campaign: by 2002 the company had weaned one in six former Prilosec users off of Prilosec and onto Nexium. At $1,500 a year it is much more expensive than the generic versions of Prilosec ($150/year). Why not just take higher doses of Prilosec – it will eventually get your Nexium fix for a lot less money.