Cimetidine

[OmaJEO]

First I was on Omeprazole which after years of being on it and if I remember came off it as there were not favourable reviews about it. I then was put on Ranitidine and on trying to get it again last month its a big No as its been withdrawn, so another alternative has been prescribed Cimetidine - after being on it for about 2-3 weeks I noticed I was getting more bouts of indigestion and needed to use Gaviscon as a top up.

Has anyone else had problems with Cimetidine or are they taking something that they are very happy with.

I also take Bisoprolol 10mg/Digoxin.125/Apixaban 5mgx2 and Furosemede I have Afib and a septal defect.

Thanks

[Shcldavies]

You will find nearly every drug has a bad effect on some and good effect on most. Omeprazole limits acid production, hence less acid in your stomach. Other medication either dilutes the acid or provides a protective barrier. All 3 methods have prose and cons and will effect different people differently. If Omeprazole did not give you any side effects it may well be that thats the drug for you. You may want to supplement some of the problems associated with having low stomach acid such as taking magnesium (the types that can be absorbed with low stomach acid - as most cannot).

I have been taking Omeprizole for over 25 years, I have slowly reduced the dose to 10g every 3rd day which works for me. I took 20g a day for many years then read up on the disadvantages so following discussion with Doc reduced to 10g/day overnight then after 6 months reduced very slowly. If I do not take Omeprizole I have to take high doses of a mixture of other drugs and these only provide a limited improvement. On balance of risk I found it safer to take a low quantity of Omeprazole rather than high dosage of other drugs.

Its ironic that you were taken off Omeprazole and put on Ranitidine due to safety concerns, when Ranitidine has now been banned due to the risks and Omeprazole is still very much considered safe after many clinical tests/trials and is the drug of choice for many doctors.

[OmaJEO in reply to Shcldavies]

I came off Omeprazole as it wasn't making me feel very good - sometimes think it's hit and miss by the GPs. Thanks