Different Brands of Omeprazole

[Canta]

Has anyone experienced a different response to different brands of omeprazole?

I usually get Almus omeprazole dispensed from Boots but a few months ago I received Teva. For the first time in years I had absolutely no stomach issue and felt so well. I asked to have only Teva in future but my latest prescription was back to Almus again.

Last night I took the Almus for the first time in two months and at 6am I was awoken with pain around the sternum. This grew and grew and I spent the next two hours pacing the house with severe upper addominal pain radiating to my back.

There are quite a few different ingredients in the two brands and it just seems too much of a coincidence for that not to be the reason for my different experiences. Has anyone else found this?

[ParkSchool5]

Hi, yes I agree 100%. I have tried several different PPI's over the years for my acid reflux and the only brand that seems to help is Teva Omeprazole. However, pharmacies tend to give you the cheaper brands like Milpharm which are useless for me. I have asked my pharmacist if I can have Teva, but they say it is whatever brand they are sent, so it's pot luck. I don't understand how the ingredients can be so different, apart from the fact that most pharmacies just buy the cheapest meds they can, it's a real nightmare.

[Canta in reply to ParkSchool5]

As I mentioned above, my symptoms became much worse when the Almus capsule colour changed, even though according to the patient info sheet the ingredients are exactly the same. Obviously there is something going on.

If a medication is making you ill how can a doctor or pharmacist not let you have a different brand. Something needs to be done about this at the highest level.

[meadfoot]

I cant comment on PPIs but I know without a doubt that a different brand of my flecainide used for heart rhythm control is nowhere near as effective as my favoured brand.

[francesctd]

I was on omeprazole and have now changes to esoemprazole - neither are great . i still have reflux eveynight

[Canta in reply to francesctd]

I'm amazed how many different formulations there are among the various brands, and yet we can't specify the brand that works for us. Doctors don't even suggest that another brand might work better. We really aren't getting the health service we pay for and deserve.

[1241]

I have not been able to get Almus for weeks gone through weeks of misery trying different brands,poeople do not realise how much stress this causes when you were perfectly well on Almus capsules ,now I am trying tablets fingers crossed they work

[Canta in reply to 1241]

For my latest prescription I was dispensed a different brand of omeprazole, one I've never had before. I don't understand how pharmacists can give people random brands willy nilly when they contain different chemicals which may cause adverse effects.

I hope the tablets are ok for you.