lansoprazole

[Picass]

does any one take lansoprazole or protect the stomach from effects of tablets and find they have oesteoperosis. Is there any alternative to Lansoprazole. Thanks

[Hidden]

I have taken lansoprazole for four years and before that esomeprazole for ten years or more for gastro reflux disease. I certainly have no symptoms of osteoporosis. However I am male and so less tendency to develop that condition compared to a woman, especially a woman of advancing years due to hormonal changes. If you believe you have osteoporosis as a side effect of taking lansoprazole you should discuss it with your GP or prescribing health professional. There are several prazoles out there to try if necessary, and of course calcium based supplements which my wife takes since has osteopenia which is a milder form of osteoporosis.

[scentedgardener]

the prazoles are PPIs, there are also H2 receptor antagonists such as Famotodine, which I take. I don't think it's linked to osteoporosis, but I have osteopenia because of something else.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The jury is still out as to whether there is a relationshio between PPIs, and osteopenia, osteoporosis and severe osteoporosis. Changing from Lansoprazole to another PPI such as Omeprazole would therefore not make any real difference. I know two people with osteoporosis - one has never taken a PPI and the other for only a short period to protect their stomach from the effects of Naproxen given for pain relief when osteoporosis was probably present but undiagnosed. In comparison I know quite a few people on PPIs. Other factors such as a healthy balanced diet and exercise including strength building exercise are probably more important. Many people exclude dairy for health reasons but low fat options (apart from those that are lactose intolerant are a better source of calcium than calcium supplements being more readily absorbed.

I would suggest you take your concerns to your GP who may know of alternatives. Let us know what they say.

[Jako999]

I have taken it for around 20 years. I’m male but a very high risk of osteoporosis due to having testicular cancer 11 years ago and unfortunately having them both removed. Due to this I have regular bone density scans and so far all have come back normal.

[Hidden]

There is a clear distinction between those who are prescribed PPIs for stomach 'protection' due to them taking drugs which may cause gastro related problems, and those who take PPIs for reflux disease.

For those who take PPIs for protection alone it might be better in some cases if their use was limited, just like any medication which might induce a side effect which outweighs the benefits of taking it, or even when it is not really required.

However I've been taking PPIs for over 15 years for reflux disease and without them it is likely I would have succumbed to oesophageal cancer given the state of my insides before I started to take them. So if indeed I have been suffering side effects (certainly nothing obvious over the years) they have probably been a life saver for me. So I am likely to continue to take them for the rest of my days.

[nellie237 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Lowerfield,

I have a fixed hiatus hernia dx 2009 after my daughter heard me choking in my sleep (which I wasn't getting much of) and prescribed 30mg Lansop. I tried books under the bed, eating small meals in the evening etc., which didn't work (but on reflection I don't think I tried for long enough - think months rather than weeks). Then in 2012 I got the usual raft of meds that go with having a heart attack and take coated aspirin. Lansop increased at some point that I can't remember, but I was on 60mg for at least 5yrs.

I came off Lansop 18months ago and really just wanted to say 'Don't give up'. I've had one bad patch where I had to revert for a few weeks, but on the whole it's been good.

[Hidden in reply to nellie237]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. My problem is slightly different to yours in that I probably have, and have had for many years, a weak inlet valve to the stomach which allows backflow. I was on the max PPI dose for some time and then tried to progressively lower the dose but my symptoms came back after a certain point so I had to go back up a dose to get things under control again. Over the years I have learned how to manage my condition and with the PPI it usually gives me few problems although I occasionally get a relapse which means I go back to basics for a week or so to allow things to settle down.

[Ourdill]

I took this whilst I was on a ticalgralor and aspirin doses for the 1st year after my stent fitting. It stopped with the ticalgralor.. never gad issues. Hope you get sorted.

[White-Witch]

hey Picass

I take this and had no idea it causes osteoporosis 😔 I know several others who take this too.

I am interested to read replies to this, thank you for posting.

[MountainGoat52]

The replies to your question certainly provide food for thought. Personally I don't take a PPI as I was found to have a severe reaction to them - bad headache, muscle aches, nausea - all preventing me from functioning. Bizarrely I was prescribed them to supposedly protect my stomach against blood pressure medication.... really? I think my GP just added them to every prescription he issued as a precaution. 😯

[Brolly12]

There is brand new research about these ‘prazoles’ omeprazole etc from USA. I encourage you all to look into this. Of course - don’t come off any medication without seeking reliable medical advice first.

[hainses1]

Like you i have osteoporosis and was perscribed a PPI omniprozle however having looked at the contraindicators I am taking famotidine instead, which is a different ckass of drug.It is a H2 receptor blocker and those drugs don't seem to carry any risk for osteoporosis. The effects of PPIs on osteoporosis are not certain and research seems a little divided but why take the risk. Here's one research paper frontiersin.org/articles/10...

[ETHEL103]

Yes for 10 years works a treat but its really hard to stop as it increases your acid no end.

[Digger0]

I have been on Omeprazole for 12+ years for reflux, and now am on lansoprazole (as I'm on aspirin for my ASD repair). I have no problems with my bones and I'm female and 71.

[Signpost100]

take PantoprozoIum for exactly that and had no problems. In morning, take 30 Mins before food, and then take other tablets .

[Bigkahuna]

My brother aged 51 had been on this drug for acid reflux issues for approx 10yrs. Three months ago he caught covid. The day after his positive test he had several seizures & ended up in ITU on a ventilator for 48hrs so they could control them. Once investigations began the cause of his seizures pointed towards dangerously low sodium levels in his system. This appeared to have been the case for some time & covid had lowered them further causing him to become very unwell.

The consultant looking after him suggested that this drug was a most likely cause & should really only be prescribed short term. Once my brother came round he was in agony, the cause of which was 3 fractures found on his back between the shoulder blades. The severity of his fitting was given as likely cause of the breaks. Further tests then diagnosed osteoporosis of the spine. The consultant again gave the likely link as Lansoprozole, adding that if prescribed, it should be given with calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis, which he was not.

It would appear that no reviews of his meds were undertaken by his gp whilst he has been on the drug. Low sodium was highlighted on a blood test two years previously but not actioned.

I think that anyone on this drug should ensure they are tested for low sodium & take supplements at the least, particularly if on it long term.

[Qualipop]

I can't tolerate lansoprazole or omeprazole. I take famotidine which works differently.

[Markybhoy1967]

i take 2 lansoprazole daily don't know about any link with osteoporosis. Was originally on omeperozol for 10years for acid reflux , but long term use of ppi drugs is not a good thing but theres not much choice.

Going in for an endoscopy on the 5th October as reflux is getting worse will let you know how it goes.

Hopefully get more info on your condition soon

[bridgeit]

My reply focuses on the alternatives to lansoprazole aspect of your question.

I've found that taking any kind of prescribed medication is a fine balancing act between avoiding symptoms that could or will occur if the medication is stopped and encountering adverse side effects from taking it. In the case of PPIs, I think this balancing act has to be weighed very carefully, especially when one considers that PPIs are not considered, according to my specialist, to be a long-term solution though they're often prescribed as a matter of course by GPs either as soon as "abdominal pain" is mentioned by a patient who has been taking essential anti-platelet or anti-coagulant medication for a while, or as a precautionary add-on for someone who has just been prescribed but hasn't experienced abdominal issues yet. I think there are likely sound evidence-based medical reasons for that approach.

However, whether PPIs are prescribed as precautionary or as a direct result of abdominal discomfort and/or acid reflux, I think it's always worth having a look at diet. Not just content, but quantity and timing. Little and often of the "right" kind of food, with careful portion control and plenty of drinking water. Thorough hydration also helps with control of acid concentration within the digestive system generally. Drinking lots of water (and not coffee or alcohol) is a good habit to get into.

Then there's the interesting effect of a non-essential amino acid called L-Glutamine. It helps to re-line the digestive tract with mucus and is thought by some to have the capacity to heal a 'leaky' gut (acid damage). It's the powder form that's needed in a glass of cold water at least 30mins before meals on an empty stomach. One heaped teaspoon=5g. Here are references to more information about this supplement and how to take it, along with a UK supplier (there may well be others). It's wise to speak with a GP or medical specialist before taking any supplement or starting a supplement regime.

goodbyeleakygut.com/l-gluta...

naturesbest.co.uk/sports/yo...

Ignore all the bumpf about 'sports intensity training'. It's not relevant regarding leaky gut application.

I like L-Glutamine, so I'm biased! I used to take aspirin but had to stop as it caused all sorts of problems and the prescribed PPIs (omeprazole then lansoprazole) made things worse. I'm on apixaban now, take no PPIs and, touch wood, to date have no further need to take them.

I hope you find something that works for you!

[Hidden in reply to bridgeit]

''However, whether PPIs are prescribed as precautionary or as a direct result of abdominal discomfort and/or acid reflux, I think it's always worth having a look at diet'

If you have a weak stomach inlet valve or perhaps a hiatus hernia attention to diet is unlikely to singularly solve the problem of acidic stomach contents flowing back into the oesophagus causing distress and damage. The cells in the oesophagus are not designed to tolerate a highly acidic environment and long term exposure causes problems. In the short term 'indigestion' is a pain response to this backflow. For those who occasionally suffer 'indigestion'', perhaps because they have over indulged, indigestion is not usually a major problem. However for those like me who have do have regular backflow the problem is far more serious since without treatment there is a real risk the acidic environment will eventually change the cells, perhaps first to Barrett's Oesophagus or worse oesophageal cancer. So the solution is to lower the acidity of the stomach contents so it does little harm to the oesophagus and this is what PPIs achieve. Yes avoiding some foods may help but it is not the solution. And I have tried stuff that is supposed to enhance the mucosal layer to increase protection, like slippery elm, but for me it didn't work at all.

[bridgeit in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply LowerField.

You are quite right; there's never a one-size-fits-all when it comes to health.

We each have our own health issues and our own, sometimes strong, opinions as a result of them. Picass asked a question about alternatives to lansoprazole, and I replied with a personal opinion based on my life experience (not medical training). Whatever is posted in any reply, each of us has to work out whether the content merits further investigation or dismissal when measured against our own personal circumstances. At least Picass now has plenty of forum members' information and ideas to assess and weigh.

[wischo]

No it protects you from getting ulcers simply by reducing acid in your tummy which is the main cause of ulcers. It can also protect against cancers. I have been taking it for over 20 years now for a hiatus hernia and acid reflux. I recently had a dexa scan done privately (70 euros) and my bone density is perfect as are all my blood tests including kidneys. They are linked to osteoporosis but not yet proven, however your GP will always err on the safe side and prescribe something else if you bring it up with him. Just a note that most other remidies for acid reflux should not be taken at the same time as aspirin as they neutralise the acetylsalicylic acid making the aspirin useless. To say they are the worst drug you have ever been on is totally ridiculous.

[Sevenyearsw]

I have been taking Lansoprazole for some 10 years on account of acid reflux. unconnected with heart medication. I have been on a variety of heart medications for heart failure for six years and had no advrse effects I could blame Lansoprazole for.

John Eastwood

[Kh5926]

Hi Picass

I take lansoprazole &also have

If you are worried ask for a dexa scan the scan takes around 10 minutes i have the scan once a year

[wischo]

With respect neither is your post regarding PPIs as this is a heart forum??. You stick with your Dr as I fail to see how you deduce that I know more than him. Also your tummy problems as per your reasoning are not relevant either as this is a heart forum, so thank you for your swift reply and all the best with whatever treatment you decide to take to replace the PPIs.