Omeprazole

[Corlaing]

What can I take in place of omeprazole for inflammation of the stomach as I've just been diagnosed with Osteo porosity and got no info from doctor as he was a locum and does not know my history.

[Kaarina]

Hi Corlaing

I presume you are asking because you know that this medication and similar are not good for bones if taken for a long period of time.

Have you tried Zantac? Ranitidine (Zantac) is a H2-receptor-blocker. Generally H2-receptor-blockers are not as effective as the PPI drugs in suppressing stomach acid production. I am not sure if this would be a better option if it works for you.

I read this on another OP forum, the member said that "as a long term user of Zantac for various gastric problems, I found that once I started taking chelated magnesium to balance my Calcium intake, I now hardly ever need to take the Zantac. I tried magnesium oxide with zinc a few times and this gave me awful indigestion, so I started taking glycinated (chelated) Magnesium, which is still very alkali, but comes in coated tablets (UK, Holland and Barratt) so that it doesn't cause me any indigestion, but helps to dampen down the stomach acid, meaning that I don't need the Zantac. I usually take it about 30mins to 1 hr after a meal so that it doesn't alter the digestion."

I do not know if this may help in any way.

You can of course give the NOS helpline a call about this.

[Corlaing in reply to Kaarina]

Hi thanks for the information, I had read some of the info but not all so this has helped me to try alternatives and hope that they work for me.

[Loramay in reply to Corlaing]

I spoke to my GP about this as I have just broke my pelvis in 2 places and a hairline fracture of my spine without any fall or anything. I have osteoarthritis in both knees due to a motorbike accident 35 years ago and most of the medication I take state that they can affect bones including omeprazole. He said that the effects of the the tablets were so low that it really wouldn't affect my bone density. He looked it up and told me that it was less than 2%and that was for 7 different drugs. Also that taking omeprazole was better than not taking it because of the bone density side effects. I hope that this helps

[Corlaing]

Hello, yes this is helping me among the other replies to make a decision as without the omeprazole I can be quite ill although I only take it when needed, which my doc seems happy with but I did not have the osteoporosis when it was prescribed. Thanks for your help.