Hydroxychloroquine

[loobylou777]

Wonder if I could have advice please. My husband was given a course of prednisolone and at the same time given Hydroxychloroquine and Omeprazole. He's now finished the prednisolone. Were the Omeprazole to protect his stomach against the steroid? Or does he need to keep taking them with the Hydroxychloroquine?Thanks, I'm a bit confused!

[welsh12]

Should ask GP or pharmacy can be for both.

[Amnesiac3637]

Probably better to ask whoever prescribed the drugs for your husband then you’ll be in no doubt.

[Fruitandnutcase]

I would ask whoever prescribed them although saying that I was prescribed omeprazole along with Naproxen in 2021 when I fractured my sacrum. I ended up very unwell.

My GP said to stop the Naproxen and to double up on the Omeprazole, absolutely no difference so I stopped the omeprazole myself, I didn’t bother to tell my GP either and life went back to normal.

When I was first diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis in 2015 I was given a three month tapering course of prednisone, it started to decrease straight away.

Once I felt it was working I was told to start on hydroxychloroquine 200mcg which I’ve been on that ever since. I was never offered omeprazole with the pred and hydroxychloroquine back then but I suppose it depends on what else your husband has going on as well.

I don’t know if it has been mentioned but he will need to have regular eye checks because of the hydroxychloroquine. I have an annual eye test and have an OCT scan done at the same time, I also have a thing called an Amsler Chart that I downloaded free online - instructions are included on how to use it. It is worth your husband making an appointment and having a baseline eye check up.

[loobylou777 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you for the info. He was told about the need for a yearly eye test with Hydroxychloroquine and has had one recently

[oldtimer2]

I can't see why you would need a PPI (omeprazole) with hydroxychloroquine. It's best not to be on PPI drugs long term if you can avoid it too. It would be prescribed for the steroids - but check!

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to oldtimer2]

My thoughts exactly, apart from anything else PPIs are bad for your bones, it’s best not to be on them long term unless you have no option.

[loobylou777 in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you, hopefully the PPIs were just for protection whilst on steroids, but I will check

[loobylou777 in reply to oldtimer2]

Will do old-timer. Thanks for your input

[Lizard28]

It’s better to check but when I’ve been prescribed steriods I always get Omeprazole to protect the stomach. Been on hydroxy for years and never been told to take Omeprazole.

[Sunflower1921 in reply to Lizard28]

May I ask if he has been alright on those drugs any side effects?

[loobylou777 in reply to Sunflower1921]

Hello Sunflower 1921My husband has been on Methotrexate for 1 year but is also on lots of other meds for thyroid and heart

Been on Hydroxychloroquine for a couple of months since a flare up. Feels nauseas quite often but could just be the mix of all his meds

[Angie2212]

Interesting to read the comments.. I've been on Omeprazole for years with Sulfasasalzine and hydrochloriquine. They recently changed it to Lansaprozole as I was constantly feeling seedy. Still do. No-No-one has ever said to stop taking it. I'll ask my RA nurse at my next appointment

[Green_frog]

I'm taking hydroxychloroquine with no stomach protection meds. I was only given omeprazole when I was taking anti-inflammatory drug - Naproxen. I actually tried to protect my stomach different methods after reading how those meds are actually working. Currently on hydroxy only.

[loobylou777 in reply to Green_frog]

Thank you so much Green frog I've managed to speak with the Rhumy nurse and he doesn't need to take the Omeprazole now that he's finished the Prednisolone