Prednisolone/Omeprazole

[gayerob]

Please advise

Is it necessary to take Omeprazole whilst taking Prednisolone , I’m taking 15 milligrams daily.

Many thanks,

Maggie

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi

If you are taking the plain uncoated tablets it is recommended - although some patients find it’s not necessary if they take the medication with a good yogurt to protect the stomach.

If you are taking the enteric ones (coloured) it’s not required.

[gayerob in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much for your speedy and informative reply. Much appreciated, Maggie.

[Koalajane]

My doctor never offered it with my prednisolone. I always take it with my breakfast and after over 2 years I have not had a problem with my stomach

[gayerob in reply to Koalajane]

Thanks for the info,I was told to take it (Omeprazole) when I take Ibuprofen which I have decided to drop since starting Prednisolone. I think I’m going to start taking it like you Koalajane.

Many thanks, Maggie.

[HeronNS in reply to gayerob]

Same with me. Breakfast and pred.

Btw, if you are taking a calcium supplement you shouldn't take it at the same time as your pred as they interfere with each other. Pred for breakfast and calcium for lunch and supper or bedtime (works to help you sleep, actually, if taken near bedtime with a small snack).

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to gayerob]

You shouldn’t take Ibruprofen with Pred as it’s a NSAID (non steroidal anti inflammatory drug) however a little gel used sparingly is okay. If you need a painkiller, then paracetamol is alright.

[gayerob in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks,M.

[Yellowbluebell in reply to gayerob]

You shouldn't be using ibuprofen whilst on pred so definitely give this up.x

[gayerob in reply to Yellowbluebell]

Thanks, M.

[gayerob]

Thanks for the tip re supplement, I take Calcichew twice daily and the doc didn’t mention it when she prescribed Prednisolone . Many thanks, Maggie.

[gayerob in reply to gayerob]

Thank you, I will

M

[Tonch]

I was prescribed it along with 15mg of Prednisone, but never took it as it increases pH in your stomach and therefore can prevent Calcium uptake from food, hence speed bone destruction. I have never had any stomach problems as I always take Pred with food and milk/yogurt.

[Hidden]

I did take lanzoprazole for 17yrs without any problems with bones - had 2 dexa scans and recommended my diet had enough calcium. But I stopped because the aspirin I took it for was taken off my diabetes med protocol so I felt that I didn't need it as pred coated. Everyone is different in terms of their response to meds. With regard to calcichew...try and rinse your mouth a few minutes after you have chewed it and if possible brush your teeth after 45 -60mins or you can ask Dr for tablet form. The calcium sticks to your teeth and can cause issues.

[Janstr]

I was prescribed aspirin as well as pred for GCA, & then omeprazole to deal with aspirin issues. PMRpro gave me some very good reasons not to take the aspirin & having convinced my GP & Rheumotologist I stopped both aspirin and omeprazole. I have had no issues until very recently, which I think is due to Aledronate acid & not pred. I do take my uncoated pred with food.

[Ciar]

I didn’t take omeprazole with prednisone for my first 2 years of pmr. I did get reflux issues but didn’t want all the bad long term side effects they’re writing about in the media lately. I took famotidine or ranitidine instead. 3 months ago I did have to start omeprazole because I started getting reflux again. Recently I cut the omeprazole by alternating every other day with ranitidine and it’s working just fine. Another member on this forum suggested that.

[gayerob in reply to Ciar]

Thanks Ciar. Maggie.

[Highlandtiger]

I got unpleasant side effects with omeprazole and was switched to ranitidine instead which has been fine.

[gayerob in reply to Highlandtiger]

Thanks,M.

[Jeannie29]

I take mine with a spoonful of natural yoghurt, it works fine for me.

I wish you well xx

[gayerob in reply to Jeannie29]

Thank you Jeannie, and I wish you well too M.

[jinasc]

If you have to take a PPI, then I would never choose Omna, read the side effects, aches and pains.

There are others, but coated pred gives stomach protection, when on uncoated, suck it an see first.

Yoghurt and Manuka Honey, gives that protection and the honey is also boosts good bacteria. If you decide to take Manuka Honey make sure it has UMF on the label.

[sennetta]

I refused to have this at my initial appointment 2.5 years ago and have had no problems at all. I read that PPi's are dangerous things....last summer a good friend of mine had acute kidney failure as a result of taking omaprazole. (He is a retired consultant renal transplant surgeon and a pioneer in his field, ironically) which rather justified my decision not to go with the idea of taking them

[gayerob in reply to sennetta]

Thanks for the info Sennetta.M

[Fifegran]

I started out taking Omeprazole but stopped it when I was told it’s not good for your bones. For the past year I use Kefir with my cereal/porridge and Manuka honey on toast, then I take the pred. Have had no problems.

All the Best.

[gayerob in reply to Fifegran]

Thanks, I think I’ll give it a miss.M

[Rebecca6]

I also heard that Omeprazole was not good for the bones if taken long term.

[gayerob in reply to Rebecca6]

Thanks Rebecca. M.