The ‘prozole’ tablets

[Heyjude31]

Hi everyone, I hope your week is going well. Just a quick question, I have been put on numerous ‘prozole’ tablets and all of them have had a bad reaction in terms of side effects. I may have asked a similar question before, so apologies. I have tried to persevere but I just can’t seem to make them work. I am thinking of just trying the dispensable aspirin with my breakfast, in the hope that it will not cause any problems such as an ulcer. Please would you mind letting me know your thoughts, I do tolerate Clopidogrel . thanks always, Judi

[Heyjude31]

Thanks ever so much, that is really helpful. I think I may try and reduce the dose and perhaps take them every other day. I will speak with my GP before doing so. Thanks again, take care, Judi

[Kristin1812 Heart Star in reply to Heyjude31]

Yes, do speak to your GP before changing any meds. They know much more than we do about drugs and the alternatives, interactions, doses, combinations, time of day, half life etc etc. If one ‘prazole’ gives you problems, they will try alternatives. There are lots of alternatives. My GP was very patient…it took 5 before I got one that suited.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Kristin1812]

Hi Kristen, I am glad you got sorted out all be it it took a while. At least it gives me confidence to get it sorted! Thank you for replying. Judi

[Heyjude31]

Hiya, I am on 40mg so I may well try and halve it! 👏👏😊

[SheldonC in reply to Heyjude31]

Be careful, you shouldn't split some tablets and definitely not capsules! Check with your pharmacist to be sure.

[SheldonC]

I had a conversation with my GP recently regarding swapping to 'coated' aspirin instead of 'dispersible' aspirin, this would eliminate the need for a PPI, he agreed to swap them.

The consensus nowadays seems to be that both are equally as good at reducing the risk of HA/Stroke.

It might be worth having the conversation with your GP.

[Heyjude31 in reply to SheldonC]

Thanks ever so much, I will speak to my doctor to change to coated. Many thanks again, Judi 😊

[SheldonC]

I was informed that they where equally effective, but dispersible are cheaper, of course if you add the cost of the PPI then that is no longer true.

[SheldonC]

Sorry but i would say that this is bad advice, capsules should not be split like this, unless advised to do so by a medical professional.

[SheldonC]

"If a tablet is crushed or a capsule opened, it could mean that the medicine is released into your body all at once when it should be released slowly over many hours. This means you are more likely to receive a very high dose and experience side effects. It could also make your medicine less effective because you do not receive the correct dose.".

[SheldonC]

Splitting a capsule, or coated pills, does not (always) achieve a lower dose, the coating/shell is there for a reason.

[SheldonC]

I am neither a GP nor a pharmacist and NHS guidelines say "check with a medical professional".

[SheldonC]

I think some PPI's are ok to split, but I would not advise anyone to do so, I just think it is better they check with a medical professional.

[Heyjude31]

Thank you 😊

[BongoBaggins]

I stopped taking them, they turn my insides to liquid 😬

I've been happily taking aspirin every day for nearly a year now, with no gastric problems at all. Everybody has different tolerances though

[Heyjude31 in reply to BongoBaggins]

Thank you BongoBaggins, I really appreciate your reply.I think I am going to try that. I take Gaviscon occasionally so maybe I can take it more often. Thank you again, take care, Judi

[ChoochSiesta in reply to BongoBaggins]

Me too. As long as Aspirin / Clopidogrel are taken after a large meal I think PPIs are unnecessary. Assuming you have no underlying stomach issues, which I don't.

[Heyjude31 in reply to ChoochSiesta]

Thanks ever so much for replying. I am taking the tablets after food without the PPI and so far so good. Take care, Judi

[Ellester]

Hi I was on emesoprozol for years taking 40mg. Per day. I was then put o. Famidine 40mg. My relux got worse and I had a heart attack which probably wasn't the reflux but warning signs of heart attack.I decided to stop taking any reflux tablets and was advised to take gaviscon extra morning and evening as this gaviscon sits on the top of your stomach and helps acid riding. This works well. I also reduced

Eating tomatoes and food containing tomatoes, also reduced intake of onions.

I feel much better and don't suffer very much with acid.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Ellester]

Thank you Ellester for replying. I am going to speak with my doctor and see what alternatives there are. Thank you again for replying I appreciate it. Take care, Judi

[Bingofox007]

Have you ever tried ranitidine, it was the drug of choice as ‘stomach’ protector prior to the PPIs. Also regular gaviscon? Or both. I think ranitidine is available without prescription but worth checking drug interactions/GP first. Take care ❤️

[Dralex in reply to Bingofox007]

I think you will find ranitidine is no longer available in the UK. I remember reading somewhere that there is a cancer risk with this medication

[Bingofox007 in reply to Dralex]

Oh apologies, I didn’t know that. Thank you for pointing that out. Noted. Take care x

[Heyjude31 in reply to Bingofox007]

Thanks again Bingofox007. Take care, Judi

[Heyjude31 in reply to Dralex]

Thank you Dralex, much appreciated. Judi

[Heyjude31 in reply to Bingofox007]

Thanks Bingofox007 I will check with the doctor and see what is available, thanks ever so much for replying. Judi

[benjijen]

I don't have problems with lansoprosol and they definitely keep reflux under control. With regard to aspirin, I don't have prescription for mine as they are very cheap to buy over the counter. I have the enteric coated ones.

[SheldonC in reply to benjijen]

If you take enteric coated ones you probably don't need a PPI, unless of course it's for something else! As always, check with your GP before making any changes.

[benjijen in reply to SheldonC]

Yes GP ia aware and perfectly happy with it. The lansoprozol doesn't have any contra indications with any of my other drugs and reflux has been controlled since I started even though it wasn't prescribed for that.

[Heyjude31 in reply to SheldonC]

Thank you SheldonC, it is not for anything else. If that works I can try that, I didn’t realise that I could take the enteric ones and not take the PPI I will speak with the doctor. Thanks again, Judi

[Heyjude31 in reply to benjijen]

Thank you benjijen for replying I really appreciate it. Take care, Judi

[Wooodsie]

Give nexium a go. And only take any PPI occasionally, not every day. You will know when the acid is building up. I have agreed this with my GP, after I wanted to stop altogether.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Wooodsie]

Thanks Woodside, I wondered if I could take something less frequently like every other day. I can try that and look for Nexium. Thank you and take care, Judi

[Wooodsie in reply to Heyjude31]

Hey Jude, you can buy them over the counter if you want to give them a go. You take care too

[Heyjude31 in reply to Wooodsie]

Thank you Wooodsie will do. 😊

[kkatz]

I personally cannot live without my Omeprazole.I have a hiatus hernia and terrific acid.But if you want to half the doze just ask your doctor.They do 20 mg doses.You can double up if you need too.Talk to your gp .

[Radars in reply to kkatz]

Us people with hiatus hernia have to use ppis forever i have tried to use my 20mg rabeprazole every other day but started getting more problems with symptoms had to go back to daily use but still having to clear my throat a lot it's hard work.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Radars]

Hi Radars it is a lot of hard work, I do hope you are okay and thank you for replying. Take care, Judi

[Pippa15 in reply to Radars]

My need to keep clearing throat turned out to be cyst on tongue maybe ask for an ,ENT. Appointment I also have hiatus hernia which was assumed to be main promblem then as voice went funny as well sent to zENzt had cyst removed yesterday so hope prombkem now solved

[Heyjude31 in reply to Pippa15]

Thanks Pippa15, I do hope all is good for you now. I had an Endoscopy and a CT scan in case there was anything causing my problems. Thankfully both results were clear. I am slowly finding my way to balancing the medications though it is taking a lot longer than I thought it would! Take care, Judi

[Heyjude31 in reply to kkatz]

Thanks kKatz for replying much appreciated I appreciate your feedback. Take care, Judi

[Pippa15 in reply to kkatz]

I also have had my omeprazole upped to ,,,40 , aday taken in two lots of 20 it has helped so much

[Flummoxedlou]

The reason is that a capsule will reach a lower part of the stomach before releasing its dose. It is in that part of the digestive system that you want your medication to activate, not in the upper part where it will be rendered ineffective. Also, in relation to taking your medications, I would experiment with taking them at different times of the day - for instance before going to bed so that any side effects are not felt during your waking hours. Take your omeprazole several hours after dinner and wait half an hour before taking your meds. Also, ensure you are not going to bed with low blood sugar as this will leave your body more likely to wake up. I don't mean eat chocolate but have something that will just lift it before going to bed.

[Zac11]

Both lanzoprasole and omeprazole gave me the runs. They stopped when I stopped the former, but not when I stopped the latter, so, after numerous tests, including a colonoscopy, failed to resolve the problem, I now take over-the-counter loperamide (immodium) every few days to control it.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Zac11]

Thanks for replying Zac11 I really appreciate it. At least it seems there are alternatives. Much appreciated and take care, Judi

[Petercat1]

Hi. I am on Lansoprazole 15mg daily. I'm not on aspirin anymore and stopped taking them about 3years ago. I have tried stopping the Lansoprazole altogether but after a few days I get terrible indigestion/reflux. I now take them about every 4th day unless I know I will be having and spicy food then I take one that morning. Dr Steel on This Morning said for over 75s PPIs aren't good at all. Think it was H2 inhibitors he said to switch to if you had to take anything.

I really don't want to take the Lansoprazole anymore and will be discussing this with my doctor.

Good luck.

Denise

[Heyjude31 in reply to Petercat1]

Thanks Denise I really appreciate your reply. I think taking something on alternate days may be the answer. Take care and thank you again. Judi

[Kazzie68]

I have been taking dispersible aspirin for almost 5 years now. My cardiac consultant advised against the coated version as not as effective as the non coated. Originally I was prescribed omeprazole until I read about possible links to dementia and although not fully proven my GP changed me to ranitidine. Once ranitidine was no longer available I was advised to just make sure I eat before I take my aspirin and use gaviscon if I experience any problems. So far so good. Take care and stay well x

[Heyjude31 in reply to Kazzie68]

Thank you Kazzie68, that’s great advice. From all the feedback I have seen, I think that will be my best option. I do eat before my aspirin, so hopefully that will do the trick. Thanks again and take care, Judi

[Dewson]

To reduce stomach acid I have taken 20 mg omeprazole long term, recently it has given me problems so prescription was changed to famotidine.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Dewson]

Thank you for replying I appreciate it. There are a number of options to consider so I am sure I will get sorted. Thanks again and take care, Judi

[stitch13]

SMH!

[Handel]

Hi Judi. Again I can only speak for my hubby. As he suffers with heartburn and acid reflux (and he had that before his bypass 3 years ago), the cardio guy and our GP recommended Omeprazole. This drug, we were told, helps repair ulcers and also prevents ulcer formation with a plus point of reducing stomach acid.He's always been on a dose of 20mg and this helps him so much.

Before that he could have been the major shareholder for Rennies!!!!

Good luck and take care. Jan xxx

[Heyjude31 in reply to Handel]

Thanks ever so much Jan, you take care too xxx

[seniorita]

I was changed to Lansaprazole when Ranitidine was removed. I react very badly to all the PPIs, and the doctors don't connect the dots, it was left to me to do that. I am on Famotidine, 20 mg twice a day, for me that works better than 40 mg once a day, but I also have the odd Rennie.

[Heyjude31 in reply to seniorita]

Thank you for replying Seniorita, that’s very helpful. Take care, Judi

[Qualipop]

Always take aspirin with food. There is a coated one you could swap to that dissolves in the intestine. I went on that because of stomach pain. You could try famotidine instead of the prozoles. I'm allergic to prozoles so that's all I can take.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Qualipop]

Thanks Qualipop, a few people have mentioned famotidine so I will investigate that. Thanks again and take care, Judi

[MumaLines]

Hey Jude

My Mum took anti- inflammatory tabs for years without medication to line her stomach, for years, her GP never prescribed.

I watched my Mum when she had a perforated ulcer, you do not want that!

My Pharmacist said Lansoprazole have to be taken on their own first thing in the morning, at least 30-60 minutes before food and other medications to line the Gut.

Many people do not do this! What’s your routine?

I get upset tummy sometimes and never knew why until we had these discussions, that’s why the Hearties on here are so valuable to us all 😊

Mums Lines xx

[Heyjude31 in reply to MumaLines]

Thanks MumaLines, for replying. I am going to discuss with my doctor to see what is the best solution. Thanks again and take care, Judi

[Hidden]

Hi Heyjude31 ,

This might be a question for the BHF’s cardiac nurses.

Please do contact them at bhf.org.uk/informationsuppo...

Call 0300 330 3311 or email [e-mail]

Lines open weekdays 9am to 5pm.

Really hope this helps

[Heyjude31 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, was it okay for me to post my question on the forum? Many thanks, Judi

[Aqua2001]

Hello everyone. A short overnight stay in hospital in February resulted in a diagnosis of Acute Pericarditis and AF and the cardiologist put me on Colchicine for two weeks to clear up the pericarditis which it did! Omeprazole 20 mg was prescribed to counteract the effects of this drug and I was instructed to take it 30 to 60 mins before breakfast. In addition I was prescribed Apixaban 5mg twice a day, Bisoprolol 2.5 mg at first once a day (following a heart CT scan in March doubled to twice a day, plus Atorvastatin 40mg). Following angiogram in September where hurray arteries although narrowed were found not to be sufficiently narrowed to warrant a stent I was put on Furosemide 20 mg once a day. I have from time to time queried Omeprazole with my doctor but he has said that Apixaban can cause severe stomach bleeding and he has seen cases of this and that therefore I should continue to take this PPI. I had read that Omeprazole shouldn’t necessarily be a long term drug. However as a result of what he says I shall continue to take it. I am very new to this heart business. I am 73 and I wish to continue to live a long life. My recommendation is to talk to the professionals and thoroughly discuss your concerns with them.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Aqua2001]

Thank you Aqua2001 for replying I really appreciate it. I will talk to my doctor and see what she recommends. Thank you again and I hope you are feeling better. Take care, Judi

[Peileen]

Hi Heyjude31I have GERD and been on Omeprazole with no problem for 3 years. I went to GP with a lot of mucus and rattling in my chest esp when bending downbut it turned out to be Gastric Acid. Because stomach acid is so dangerous to the lungs, mucus is produced in the bronchial tubes as a protection. In fact this can go on to cause even asthma so I am very happy to take the Omeprazole. Since I started the Omeprazole I’ve been fine and no mouthfuls of acid either in the night. Aspirin is hard on the stomach. Aspirin in my opinion is a wonderful pain killer and took it for years but was changed to codeine and paracetamol which are working fine.

I’ve had stomach problems off and on for years. Zantac is good. Of course no medicine is without something. I hope you find a solution. Best wishes.

[Heyjude31 in reply to Peileen]

Thanks everso much for replying Peileen, I really appreciate it. I do need to find a solution that protects my stomach, it is just about finding the right one. Thank you again, and take care. Judi 😊