Omeprazole

[OAPjust]

Hi there - I was very interested to read recent posts headed Ectopic heartbeats from "Britishgas" - as other posts then started discussing Omeprazole (Pearipile-55 and Smileyian etc). 5 months ago, after attending A&E I was diagnosed with Atrial Flutter and subsequently advised to take anti-coagulant. I did this, so since then I have taken Rivaroxaban daily. When I went to the chemist to get my 2nd box I was also given an additional tablet, Omeprazole, it stated "to protect the stomach whilst taking Rivaroxaban". I queried this, having never had any stomach or digestive problems in the past. Whether it's to do with the Covid situation, not sure, I was told it is preventative so that hopefully, I will not experience a bleeding situation. On researching further, I discovered (as Pearipile-55 mentioned) that taking Omeprazole long-term can deplete the essential nutrients being absorbed, e.g. Magnesium. Hopefully, I can receive a review of some sort in the near future, then hope I can ask more about this.

Has anyone else been prescribed this whilst on anti-coagulants?

Thanks.

[Blackcatsooty]

I was given omeprazole, to protect my stomach, after open heart surgery. I was advised that this tablet would be stopped after one year, or as soon as i felt ok. Well i felt ok after about 5 months so i spoke to my GP and he agreed i could cease.

I am inclined to keep medication as low as possible but I always discuss with my GP. My surgery doesnt have a pharmasist.

Hope this helps.

Colin. (Way past oap status.)

[OAPjust in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Thank you Blackcatsooty (Colin) - thats what I'm hoping as I don't like taking any medication really, but I am grateful to be quite protected with the Rivaroxaban. So are you also taking a anti-coagulant, only I maybe on my thinner for life, so presumably Omeprazole for life too.

[Blackcatsooty in reply to OAPjust]

I take a blood thinner. Clopidogrel, which suits me. Well it does until i scratch myself and take an hour to stop bleeding.But the omeprazole was definitely for a limited time.

When i first stopped, my tummy did triple somersaults for a while, so maybe i stopped a little early.

However, the clopidogrel was prescribed in 2016, following a stroke.

I spent many many months imagining it was causing side effects. So i switched from clopi to low dose aspirin. No difference, the clopi was not the cause.

Best wishes

Colin

[Janma123]

My hubby was prescribed omeprazole in 2007 following a HA and being put on Asprin and clopidogrel, because he was suffering dreadful ‘ burning’ in his stomach. A couple of years later he was prescribed metformin for T2 diabetes. Hi is now very deficient in vitamin b12 and other essential nutrients as omeprazole reduces the acid produced by the stomach resulting long term inability to extract the required minerals and vitamins from food. Metformin compounds this problem.

Omeprazole is very effective but make sure your doctor monitors your blood regularly and ask for a copy of the results so that you can monitor your own levels.

[Smileyian in reply to Janma123]

Very sensible.

[Lovefrance]

Hi there. I have taken rivaroxaban for many years. I have never been advised by my surgeon who I see regularly to take omeprazole. I wouldn’t worry too much about not taking it. Take care.

[cjbroon]

I was put on dispersible aspirin in 2018(maybe a bit earlier) which has caused stomach problems, mainly bad heartburn. So I was prescribed omeprazol to offset that. I was kept on both after my OHS in 2019.However I've managed to get my aspirin changed to a special coated one that isn't as bad for the stomach. I'm still prescribed omeprazol but I generally only take it now if I can feel heartburn coming on. The girl at the Chemist said changed to the coated aspirin wouldn't necessarily mean I could stop taking omeprazol as she said the aspirin could still cause problems.

[Hidden in reply to cjbroon]

Interesting, I was told that coated aspirin does not work ‘as well’ for us hearties.

I was on Lansoprazole post OHS, suffered really bad diarrhoea and it was stopped, a couple of months later was blue lighted in with suspected HA, turned out it was the Aspirin causing heart burn, was told I had to be on something to protect my stomach, was put on Omeprazole and all was good for quite a while.

I then found I was really struggling with lethargy, low energy etc. Blood tests showed I was very low in Vit B9 was put on Folate tabs and felt great again, I was told that Omeprazole can cause malabsorption of Vit B9.

[Smileyian]

Indeed I was part of that conversation string and am interested in your comments. Thank you for your views.

[OAPjust]

Thank you all for your informative comments, I will write items down. Thankyou again.OAPjust.

[Ava68]

Hello I have a feeling when I initially started taking anti-coagulates I was started with this too but the prescription was never renewed until recently because I had forgotten to take my Rivaroxaban with food and after about 3 months of doing so ended up with severe clenching pain which at first I thought was related to my chest/heart but it was actually my stomach/lining. I was prescribed it for 2 weeks which got me back to normal and also my ritual of taking Rivaroxban back into check. I don’t know if that helps...

I too would check with your GP.

[OAPjust in reply to Ava68]

Thankyou so much.