procedures may stop the study drug

procedures may stop the study drug 5 days prior to surgery
and recommence the study drug upon recovery
(when haemostasis is secured or when the patient is
able to take orally). Patients who develop anaphylaxis,
angioedema or gastrointestinal bleeding should stop the
study drug immediately and should not undergo re-challenge
to study drug. Patients who are unable to tolerate
200 mg of study drug may have the dose reduced to 100
mg.. The reason and date of dose reduction will be
clearly documented. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) will
be used in patients who have symptoms of epigastric
discomfort. They should be given at adequate doses and
continued for at least 3 months. PPIs are preferable to
H2 antagonists. Antacids (i.e. magnesium trisilicate,
magnesium carbonate) should not be given in place of
PPIs; however, they may be used to supplement these
agents. Patients who undergo gastroscopy should be
screened for helicobacter pylori and treated accordingly