Omoprozole advice.

[acjb007]

I've been on the drug for 4 and a half years after being seriously ill. I ran out so went without for a few days. I noticed no changes in how I felt or acid reflux so have now not taken it for 3 weeks. Has anyone had any experience with omoprozole or know if I should still be taking it?

[dianekjs]

I don't think you're supposed to discontinue long-term treatment abruptly, but I'm glad you're not experiencing symptoms. Reflux is serious and needs to be controlled, but PPI drugs have come under increased scrutiny of late and there needs to be a careful evaluation of risk vs. benefit. You really need to have a discussion with your doctor about where to go from here. Best of luck getting things straightened out.

[HopefulAl]

Hi, there is of course the possibility that having been on it for over four years, it may take longer than three weeks to come out of your system. Only a thought? I was taken off a medication at the end of September 2015 and it took just over three months for it to leave my system.

[scottyboy40]

Hi there

I've been on them for same time and I always take them to stop acid reflux and protect the lining of the stomach.

When originally prescribed they told me it's long term meds with other vitamins.

I have heard some new stories linked to other stuff like mental health but don't know anything else really. Hope this helps. 😊

[Hidden]

Might be worth checking with your GP who may well recommend you do without if you don't have any adverse reactions from other medications. There have been some reports that suggest it is tied to greater incidence of dementia, so there may be some merit other than just reducing generally.

[Bolly]

Its also prescribed as a stomach' liner as others have said to reduce the risk or side effects of Portal hypertensive gastropathy, so coming off it partly depends on what it was prescribed for in the first place.

sometimes with acid reflux you dont feel it happening, particularly at night when you lie down the acid can reflux up your oesophagus and cause slow and steady erosion while you sleep.

Its great you are not noticing any side effects, but as others have said i would have a chat with your doctor about what it was prescribed for in the first place and whether that cause has cleared up.

[GrittyReads]

I would talk to your GP. Omeprazole can cause certain vitamin and vitamin deficiencies if taken for too long. I had it for indigestion, but felt it was having an adverse effect in other ways, and so my GP said to keep it on prescription, but that I could take it on a 'when needed' basis rather than all the time. But do talk it over with them first.

[ballie52]

I have been taking it for 2yrs now and stopped due to not wanting to take it long term..i am OK and still get a bit of chest pain but I'm coping OK without it!

I did read some disturbing news on long term use of this drug that made me decide i don't want to take the risk continuing to take it.

I would say though it would be advisable to speak to your GP before stopping just to be on the safe side.

[SweetJaney]

I have been on Omeprazole for two years now, they took me off Lanzoprazole saying it was not suitable with Liver Cirrhosis. Now I am wondering if either of them are safe .... will speak to GP of next visit about it. So many different meds and most seem to say not to be taken if u have Liver problems!

[AyrshireK]

My hubby has been on Omeprazole (2 x 20mg a day) since April 2012. He has had varices and has portal hypertensive gastropathy. He would be in absolute agony with horrendous 'heart burn' type symptoms pre omeprazole and he hasn't had that since being on it - he also has cirrhosis and all liver docs are aware of his prescription. It protects his stomach lining from too much acid plus the effects of the steroid prednisolone which he has to take due to auto-immune liver disease.

[acjb007]

I had ruptured varices back in 2012. I still have small varacies but they don't need to be banded. My fibrescan score is 75kpa and I have severe cirrhosis. I did suffer acid reflux for a couple of days but it's passed. I get very tired since I stopped them but I'm not sure if it's related. I'll speak to my gp for advice but I've heard you're not supposed to take them long term.

[chynablue]

If you are taking Omeprazole because a doctor advised you to take it, then follow up with your doctor.

If you are taking it because you buy it over the counter without prescription, then you are only supposed to take it for 14 days. It should say this on the box. if you need it for more than 14 days, you need to be under a doctor's care and supervision.

[acjb007]

I spoke to my doctor and she said as I've had no reflux since coming off the medication then I can continue not taking it. I've noticed I've been having nightmares recently and my partner said I've been crying out in my sleep. I don't know if the two are related .

[Bolly in reply to acjb007]

Wow. this is the list of side effects of proton pump inhibiters (not specifically Omeprazole) from the British National Formulary. No idea what half of them are.

I wonder if people get them for a time when they stop the drug and its clearing from your system. Nothing to base this on, just an idea.

So glad i dont take em. I was given Lansoprazole when on high dose steroids but it gave me heartburn rather than prevented it, so i stopped.

Side-effects of the proton pump inhibitors include gastro-intestinal disturbances (including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation), and headache. Less frequent side-effects include dry mouth, peripheral oedema, dizziness, sleep disturbances, fatigue, paraesthesia, arthralgia, myalgia, rash, and pruritus. Other side-effects reported rarely or very rarely include taste disturbance, stomatitis, hepatitis, jaundice, hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis, bronchospasm), fever, depression, hallucinations, confusion, gynaecomastia, interstitial nephritis, hyponatraemia, hypomagnesaemia (usually after 1 year of treatment, but sometimes after 3 months of treatment), blood disorders (including leucopenia, leucocytosis, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia), visual disturbances, sweating, photosensitivity, alopecia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. By decreasing gastric acidity, proton pump inhibitors may increase the risk of gastro-intestinal infections (including Clostridium difficile infection). Proton pump inhibitors can increase the risk of fractures, particularly when used at high doses for over a year in the elderly.

Rebound acid hypersecretion and protracted dyspepsia may occur after stopping prolonged treatment with a proton pump inhibitor.

[grace111 in reply to Bolly]

fantastic post.

[grace111]

i am prescribed omeprazole. they are called ppi inhibitors. i only take them occasionally and have never had any kind of with drawels from them. when i saw the side effect there were so many and all the interactions i decided not to take them unless i got really bad heart burn as thats what i got them for. i have gall stones and cant have my gallbladder removed as its stuck to my liver. i have not had any this week. they cause me to have slime in my throat if i take them for a few days and always feel as if i have nasal drip. i take them as a very last resort. so if your managing without them i would not take them. they are not like anti depressants where you cant stop taking them without a doctors help.i feel confident in what I'm saying as its my experience, 

[Kirsty111]

Hi, I've been on it for 3 months and can't manage even 1 day without it - If I miss 1 day I get very ill xx