Omeprazole prescribed to go along side Naproxen - First time - How do I take!?

[LauraJayne92]

I have been taking Naproxen for a few years now - Instead of having them as prescribed I have got by having 1 when my pain is so horrendous I can't cope and just dealing with the pain at other times. I have had to take a considerable amount more since I had my Mirena coil fitted and have also been prescribed Omeprazole to help with problems caused by the naproxen. I am still not taking naproxen twice a day - again, only when I really need one. In this case, do I only need to take an omeprazole when I take the naproxen? Or is it something that I need to build up by having every day?

[Thecraftyadder]

So I use both of these (though I just switched from omeprazol to lansoprazole). You can take it at anytime but I usually do it first thing in the morning. You'll probably only need 1 a day of these and just when you're on painkillers unless you're having stomach symptoms/heartburn in which case take one regardless.

With regards to the naproxen it does pay to keep a steady flow of it in your system. It works by blocking the production of pain causing progestagladins however if you wait till you feel pain before you take one then you already have progestagladins in your system so the drugs don't work effectively. All NSAIDs including naproxen work best taken in advance of pain. I only discovered this fact 18mths ago (proper lightbulb 💡moment!) I understand the fear of taking too many pain killers but if you are in constant pain it's better to take the 2.

[LauraJayne92 in reply to Thecraftyadder]

Thank you for your reply! - It is 100% because I'm worried about taking too many that I don't take the required dosage! I'm a worrier!!

[Terrileeloughlin]

Hi there, its best to take omeprazole every morning as it protects your stomach. It's best to ask you GP tho. Good luck.

[Jannie61]

Hi , I have been on Naproxen for 10 months off and on for Costochonritus and take 1x10mg of omebrazole in the mornings an hour before breakfast , like you I only take Naproxen when needed , at the lowest dose 1x250mg the Dr said I could take up to 4 Naproxen a day if it gets bad but I sit with a hot water bottle or an ice pack .

[Jannie61]

Oh I forgot to say , the last Naproxen you have does not get out of your system until 96 hours ( 4 days ) so keep taking the omebrazole until than , i have tried tapering the omebrazole down when I'm not taking the Naproxen missing one once a week for a couple of weeks than tapering down to missing 2 a week i got down to 3 omebrazole a week than i had a flare up of Costochondritus so i had to start taking it again never ever had bad reflux until i started taking these tablets , the Dr says to just keep taking them but i will try again when the costo has gone again , good luck .