I visit my pharmacy yesterday to collect my regular prescription. Apixaban, Bisoprolol and Ranitidine. Not unexpectedly, the Ranitidine was 'unavailable' and I found that the GP had switched me to Famotidine 20mg once daily at night. I haven't done any research on this yet, but it sounds like it is in the same family, and at least it's not a proton pump.
While searching for my recent prescription, they also came across a package that had sat waiting since 7th April. Now this was the first prescription I had requested after the start of lockdown, and I remember that there was some difficulty with it, and I ended up talking to the doctors to say the 'MyGP' app had let me down (again!). I collected a prescription later that week. At this point, the duty pharmacist appeared, and proceeded to remove the Ranitidine packet from the old prescription. I told him that I was fully aware of the reasons for it's withdrawal (thanks to this forum!) and that I would be very happy to take it anyway, and after a bit of heehawing he agreed to leave it in the package.
As the Ranitidine was prescribed out of sync with the other drugs, I was already over three weeks ahead with that one anyway, so now I have seven weeks worth of Ranitidine in stock, plus a four week packet of the new Famotidine. I'm also ahead four weeks worth of both of the others. I fully intend to order my regular repeat at the usual intervals, and stay ahead of the game, so I have a cushion against any further problems such as a sudden resurgence of Covid19 or another pandemic.
If anyone has any views or experience of the Famotidine, I would welcome your comments before I reach the stage of trying them.
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Hi - no information about Ranitidine but like you I have somehow managed to get ahead by a few weeks with my regular repeat prescription and I’m continuing to reorder at usual time. So far I have had no problems but I can only tolerate one brand of Flecainide so this gives me time to phone around the local pharmacies if it is out of stock at my usual chemist. Liz
I’m the same, only take Ranitidine once a day unless I am having problems so I’ve got some extra. I have been prescribed omeprazole but I’m very reluctant to take it because lansaprazole was a disaster. I’ll be interested to hear more about famotidine. I wasn’t consulted about the switch so couldn’t discuss. My feeling is at 75 it’s a bit late to worry about vague possible dangers.
I get more confused as time goes on regarding ranitidine. I took it for around four to five years and it worked fairly well for the first three years then it just didn’t do much anymore. I had lots of epigastric pain while on it but couldn’t say whether that was the culprit.
While in hospital with epigastric pain I was switched back to lansoprazole, disaster, I had the worst night ever with reflux so that was soon dropped. Fast forward to more recent times ie last summer when I had to stop ranitidine for Gastric tests. I didn’t go back onto it and when I asked to I was told it had been recalled.
I was prescribed nizatidine but warned it was difficult to get, I tried nation wide to no avail. So I limp on with gaviscon alone. The reflux is now very bad again and was given cimetidine by gastro consult but it interferes with flecainide so that’s a no go. Go prescribed nizatidine again three weeks ago but of course still not available. Gp said categorically that ranitidine was no longer being prescribed and withdrawn, Rang surgery next day to say no nizatidine available so another gp prescribed ranitidine again,
I ask you how on earth are we supposed to know what to do when doctors are so different in their advice and manufacturers aren’t manufacturing, meanwhile I am suffering badly with reflux and associated chest pain and flatulence.
I haven’t heard of the drug you mentioned so may ask gp for that if it’s available, I can’t take ppis as they start my cardiac arrhythmias big style. Good luck with the drug your mention. I will ask my doc about it as I need something and fast.
This is a very long shot but you could try eating a small slice of fresh pineapple once a day. I have had far less digestive problems since doing that and noticed the difference when I took a break. I have a fruit salad of pineapple and banana every morning. It’s ok to say if you think I’m mad !
Would you try a probiotic? My gastroenterologist suggested it to.me 3 yrs ago and I was able to stop taking Nexium(ppi) I still need gaviscon extra occasionally,depending on what I eat. Best of luck 😃
I so agree with you meadfoot, ppi s I feel, affect magnesium levels. I.m not a medic and I understand the positive of ppi I suppose you just have to weigh up the pros/cons. Stay well😃🌸💐
Yes you are right, ppis throw my heart off and I can’t deal with more svt and af than I already have especially not by taking a medicine to help one issue only to have another issue worsened. Happy days !
Thank you, it’s well worth a try. I wonder if it works because it alters the microbiome in some way. So pleased you have found a solution and a natural one at that, far better than meds with their own side effects. Stay well and thanks again. X
There are several other articles with much the same info if you google ‘health benefits of eating pineapple’, it does have a scientific basis, hope it helps 💜
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