FROM OUR PARTNERS esomeprazole ( Nexium ), rabeprazole ( Pariet ), pantoprazole ( Pantoloc and Tecta ), lansoprazole ( Prevacid ), and omeprazole ( Losec ). While there are many PPIs available there is no evidence that one particular PPI works better than another ( refer to the University of British Columbia study at goo . gl / WefiZU or the study published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information , US National Library of Medicine at goo . gl / 2Xh6zN ).
FROM OUR PARTNERS esomeprazole ( Nexium ), rabeprazole ( Pariet ), pantoprazole ( Pantoloc and Tecta ), lansoprazole ( Prevacid ), and omeprazole ( Losec ). While there are many PPIs available there is no evidence that one particular PPI works better than another ( refer to the University of British Columbia study at goo . gl / WefiZU or the study published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information , US National Library of Medicine at goo . gl / 2Xh6zN ).
The American Geriatric Society ( AGS ) publishes a document containing criteria used by clinicians to identify drugs that should be avoided by older adults . Pharmacists use these guidelines to reduce adverse drug events , improve medication selection and increase overall medication safety in older adults . The most recent document , the AGS Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults ( 2015 ), recommends avoiding use of PPIs beyond eight weeks in older adults . Using PPIs for greater than eight weeks could potentially result in development of acute interstitial nephritis ( which could lead to renal failure ), deficiency in magnesium or vitamin B12 , increased risk of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea , or osteoporosis-related bone fractures , especially with long-term or high dose PPI therapy ( i . e ., using PPIs for longer than one year or greater than one dose per day ).
The AGS criteria indicates that elderly patients on PPI therapy should be transitioned to H2 ( histamine-2 ) receptor antagonists , such as ranitidine or famotidine , after eight weeks of PPI treatment , if maintenance treatment is required for chronic reflux disease in low-risk patients .
The AGS publication did indicate , however , that there are cases where an older patient should continue to use PPIs beyond the recommended eight-week duration , such as for patients with a high risk of gastrointestinal disease , which would include patients receiving long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ), those with Barrett ’ s esophagus , hypersecretory conditions , or patients with a demonstrated need for ongoing PPI therapy .
If you are currently taking proton pump inhibitors to treat chronic reflux disease , we recommend you talk to your doctor about your PPI treatment options to ensure treatment is not adversely affecting any other aspects of your health .
Emergency Travel Maximum Trip Duration Reset ARTA provides an excellent emergency travel benefit to its members covered by the Total Health and Ultimate Health plans . The travel plan is considered to be the ‘ crown jewel ’ of the ARTA Retiree Benefits Plan . The base Emergency Travel plan allows covered members to travel outside of their province of residence for up to 92 days per trip or for up to 212 days for a single trip with additional supplementary travel coverage .
The base Emergency Travel plan allows covered members to take as many trips as they wish up to 92 days duration per trip . In order to ‘ reset ’ the 92-day clock , a member only needs to return to their province of residence and to be able to provide proof that they have returned , after which time they can leave on another trip of up to 92 days duration . There is no minimum amount of time a covered member must remain in their province of residence before they can depart on another trip — the reset is immediate .
In the event of a claim , you and your spouse or another covered dependent must be able to provide proof of the date each of you departed , and proof of the date you returned to your province of residence in order to reset your trip clock . Proof of date may include a boarding pass or a receipt showing your name , the date , and the vendor ’ s name and address ( for example , a credit card receipt ). Ensuring that you are able to provide proof of your departure and return dates will allow you to enjoy your trip worryfree , knowing that you are covered for any sudden and unforeseen illness or injury . �
news & views WINTER 2017 | 55