Acid reflux

[ABwn]

I was taking omeprazole for acid reflux and it worked, no problems at all. However, as I'm now on Nordimet for methotrexate, I have been told not to take omeprazole as it affects the methotrexate. I am using gaviscon advance and Rennies, neither are very effective. Anyone found antacids that work before the acid reflux affects you?

[Seashoreshanty]

i take methotrexate and i take omeprazole, no problem. My Dr and RA consultant knows !?

[HeadInASpin in reply to Seashoreshanty]

Same here. Acid reflux is miserable, I would go back and ask for a better solution, Abwn.

[ruth_p in reply to Seashoreshanty]

Me too

[Nana-8 in reply to Seashoreshanty]

I took them both. I had read there was an interaction and asked about it. Both the GP and RA said it wasn’t a problem for me personally.

[Amnesiac3637]

Presumably a doctor has told you not to take Omeprazole with Nordimet as there is an interaction between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and methotrexate - though most people continue to take both for years! If that’s the case were you advised that Gaviscon Advance was the best you could take? There are H2 blockers (they work differently to PPI’s) and can be as effective at quelling acid reflux. Worth asking your GP if Gaviscon not doing it for you.

Have you been investigated for the cause of your reflux? That would be favourite as just taking drugs to stop it only masks a problem. Lots of us get acid reflux from the drugs we take but you do need to know the cause. Of course you may know all this in which case ignore me……….😀. Best of luck and hope you get sorted as reflux not funny!

[ABwn in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thank you for your advice. I do appreciate it. Haven't been in contact with GP yet . Thought I would find out if over the counter medication would work. Am going to send a note to the practice pharmacist over the weekend. He's very good, or has been in the past. This has only just happened . Fingers crossed .

[AgedCrone in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Lanzoprazole & Esomeprazole did nothing for me so I was switched to Gaviscon…works a dream! My GP clinical pharmacist told me I can buy it OTC & wouldn’t prescribe it!

[ABwn in reply to AgedCrone]

Hi AgedCrone. Thank you for replying. Unfortunately, gaviscon does nothing for me. Take care.

[J1707- in reply to ABwn]

Took a while to find the right one I’m on esomeprazole and use nordimet pens no problems and no one said I can’t and I have to list prescription drugs every visit to rheumatologist.. at least 3 times a year the last 7 years

[Madmusiclover]

Just a thought if no joy from other suggestions to switch to injectable methotrexate?

[ABwn]

Thanks for the suggestion madmusiclover.

[CallMeSunny]

Have a look at an H2 blocker, Fluticasone……I suspect it’s what your GP might offer you instead of Omeprazole……works for me, plus paying attention to my diet and avoiding any foods which I know aggravate me! I hope you find a solution as acid reflux is so miserable.

[Stills]

omeprazole causes pancreatitis? I was unaware of this. It does seem to have caused diverticulitis in my case and I’ve been investigated for cancer all through 2023 with non found so far. But concerning though to think a drug prescribed for acid reflux could affect my pancreatitis which is one of the areas of cancer that’s been mentioned. Can you give a source on this information please?

[cyberbarn in reply to Stills]

Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't! Two conflicting papers below.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[Stills in reply to cyberbarn]

Thanks for posting

[Moomin8]

Hi, It is as if you're reading my mind - I was about to post about this!

Maybe a bit of a different to me because I have been diagnosed with a hiatus hernia. I have methotrexate (as a pen - Metoject) along with Tocilizumab and Sulfasalazine. I took Omeprazole for about 6-7 years. I decided to stop Omeprazole because I felt that I'd taken it long enough. Due to having an operation soon, I've had to stop all meds in preparation for that. My acid reflux returned about 6 months ago. I hadn’t realised it because it presents as a chronic cough mostly. I am starting to take a Gaviscon tablet (I hate taking them) after my evening meal to see if it helps. I will see my GP to discuss what to do for the best, but due to my op coming up, I will be restricted, I imagine.

When I've have my op, I will have my RA meds reassessed.

[Runrig01]

The risk associated with MTX and Omeprazole, only applies to high doses, like that used in cancer patients. A high dose is calculated based on body mass syrfqce area, which for someone who weighs 147lbs is 850mg, so way in excess of the dosage used for RA.

I used Omeprazole for years, before respiratory specialist switched me to Pantoprazole, as I was found to have a hiatus hernia, which had contributed to lung damage from aspiration. She also told me to take Gaviscon advance, as opposed to regular gaviscon, as the advance forms a raft that stops stomach contents leaving the stomach, which regular gaviscon doesn’t. Since changing to these I have no issue with reflux now.

Interaction

[Haz58]

Now that has scared me! I've been omeprazole for years! Also through all the DMARDS. They had to up mine to 40mg a day when on methotrexate but it gave me gastritis anyway so on benepali and sulfasalazine now and still on 20mg omeprazole a day. Now I had to have a CT scan on Wednesday for tummy issues. Diabrreah and pain in my upper right abdomen. Hope they hurry up with the results!

[Stills in reply to Haz58]

See Cyberbarn reply to me earlier on this topic

[shell911 in reply to Haz58]

Do you take Folic Acid as well? Usually it's taken when on Methotrexate.

[ABwn in reply to shell911]

Yes. I've been on mtx, hydroxychlorequine and folic acid from being diagnosed 15 years ago.

[Wispymisty]

I had to switch from omeprazole because it started giving me palpitations and my GP put me on Nizitadine instead.I'm only on pain meds and not yet diagnosed but it might be an alternative you can ask about.

[jeniwall]

I have an hiatus hernia and was having terrible trouble with reflux. I was put on cimetidine but this also affects the hydroxycloriquine that I just been prescribed so I have stopped taking the cimetidine. I have found the best method is diet, I have lost 8 pounds so far and haven't had reflux since I started. I have a good goal as my son is getting married in August so that has given me something to work for but I do feel better in myself. It isn't easy and it gets boring but I always have what I want when I go out. I do however watch what foods I eat together as having suffered with it for years it's not worth the discomfort. Hope you find what suits you.

[RUSTY750]

Hi ..I have been taking [prescribed] Lanzoprazole [for Barretts Oesophagus] in conjunction with Methotrexate for 6/7 years .. I find it difficult to tell which/what stomach cramps/problems are caused by any particular drug or combination of. ...but consultants and GP were quite particular about matching drugs that caused the least amount of problems ......

[Artfanatic]

Hi ABwn I've had acid reflux for years & I take Omeprazole & Gaviscon Double Action (couldn't get on with the Advance Gaviscon) & I'm on Abatacept Biologic injections & Methotrexate. I have never been told not to take Omeprazole with Methotrexate!? Obviously not at same time & at least 1hour apart, but otherwise ok & I've been on them all for years??? I'm curious to know who told you not to take Omeprazole with Methotrexate?

[Dismal]

I had to stop taking Omeprazole and put on Famotodine which helps greatly. Occasionally take Gaviscon, actually it's Boots own which is much cheaper

[JFlay]

Hi,I've had bad heartburn and reflux ever since I started on DMARD's five years ago.

There are a few foods I know that aggravate it, so I avoid them (they didn't use to before the RA meds though).

I was prescribed Omeprazole four years ago, I don't like taking it.

I had a gastroscopy that was normal apart from a bit of gastritis (at the bottom of the stomach) and some small polyps which were also OK when biopsied.

I feel that my gut issues flare up similarly to the RA flare ups, and sometimes it's both at the same time! 🥺 and stress is a big factor for me with both.

Last year I experimented with taking Slippery Elm capsules instead of the Omeprazole and they worked really well. But, they can't be taken all the while.

I find Gaviscon very good but I'm on hydroxy so have to leave a four hour gap before and after taking.

It's all such a pain!

[KittyJ]

definitely dmards cause my acid reflux.

[Chrissycl]

Until you find a medicine that works for your acid reflux maybe try peppermint tea. I used before I was given pantoprazole which works OK for me but I'm not on methotrexate

[Happy5]

Who told you not to take Omeprazole? Puzzled I take MTX injections weekly and Omeprazole which I was put on when blood was found in vomit post operation. You could read the info sheet which comes with both meds?

Thing is we're all unique health wise so we're guided by what our medical team come up with for us. Do you have an advice line you can contact and speak to specialist nurse?

Feel for you as it's an awful pain.

[dix99]

I’m on both also with no problems. Only thing omeprazole effects is my thyroid meds, so I take omeprazole in the am & thyroid med in the pm so it doesn’t effect it.

[Thingybob]

I have just been to the gp regarding what i think is gerd. But he has referred me to the gastro dept at the hospital for a camera investigation of my oesophagus. !I take sulphasalazine and mtx by injection, plus meds for hypertension and levothyroxine. Never had gut issues before .