omeprazole And diarrhoea

[budley19]

Hi guys I have been taking 40mg if omerprazole for almost two weeks yesterday and today I have suffered terrible diarrhoea I have read this is a common side effect but please tell me it’s short lived and goes away I couldn’t cope with this long term it’s just dreadful I can’t leave the house and I was up through the night with it even though I have barely eaten since It started

Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi, the stuff I have read mentions a couple of days or 2 weeks when you first start taking it. If it carries on see your Dr. Are you sure you haven't picked up a bug. There are a few sickness and diarrhea bugs going round. Hope u feel better soon.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Agree with Poopadoop, think you need to consult doctor - there seems to be more going on than just a reaction to the PPI.

You could try ringing nhs helpline - but in the meanwhile keep as hydrated as possible.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is a common side effect and I do know that for some people it doesn't settle down.

However - I think it does need some medical input. It may not be the omeprazole at all and if you become dehydrated you could get even worse.

[Christophene in reply to PMRpro]

Absolutely; I had a GI infection years ago; my daughter said, " Mom, you don't look like you." I was so dehydrated. Most need to run their course, and antibiotics may prolong the course. I prefer PeptoBismol; it usually stops after a few doses; if it doesn't, you need medical attention.

[Blearyeyed]

Totally agree with you replies so far.

When you get stomach symptoms , headaches or mild new symptoms , especially things like diarrhea it's important to make sure it isn't being caused by another Health issue or infection or upset stomach first before blaming the medication.

As , it didn't happen until a few weeks into the course and you haven't mentioned a build up of stomach symptoms since starting the drug , checking it isn't something else us even more important.

Sometimes we get into a habit of blaming the drugs for all the symptoms that happen to us but more often than not it can be a health issue not a drug issue causing our new symptoms

[budley19 in reply to Blearyeyed]

I think you could be right I’ve definitely improved since yesterday so maybe I just do have a bug and nothing at all to do with medication I suppose if you read side effects of any drug you would take nothing

Cheers

[Poppy_the_cat]

Hi,

Sadly my mom has to take the ghastly Omeprazole and suffers with diarrhea regularly and even severe vomiting that happens about every 10 to 12 weeks we've noticed. She has been on it for some years now. You need to read the possible side effects associated with medicine.

Our doctor is now cutting her down to a much lower dose in an attempt to make it less invasive for her. She takes it for acid reflux with a hiatus hernia.

I hope things improve for you as it's miserable. Fingers crossed, but do try asking your GP for a lower dose, it might help.

Best Wishes

Poppy the 🐈

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Poppy_the_cat]

There are other PPIs - not all have the same effects.

[budley19 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi do you know the names of these

Thanks

[Hidden in reply to budley19]

aboutgerd.org/medications/p...

[Poppy_the_cat in reply to PMRpro]

Sadly she's tried them all and one in particular contains castor oil and something else which I forget but essentially not good for one's health if taken in a long term basis - so counter productive! Omeprazole seems to be the best of a bad bunch.

Thank-you anyway.

Poppy

[budley19]

Thanks for this yes doctor is halving my dose from 40mg to 20 to see if that helps tbh I am considering stopping all together and looking at natural alternatives

[Menno1525]

I've been taking Omeprazole for years without problem for hernia and other stomach issue)I take my 40mg currently ( after a bit of a resurgence after Covid) as a split , one 20 mg in the morning and one at bedtime, and , as my consultant suggested also take a probiotic Biokult ( its not on prescrption but widely available) which also helps keep my gut in good order esp now I'm temporarily on antibios and a multivitamin. I had been considering tapering down to my maintenance dose of 20mg am with a chaser of pepto bismol if needed at night but for the moment whilst I'm getting used to Prednisole I'm keeping it up as I understand that can have bad effects on your stomach. Good you are chatting to the GP and Rheumy about how much you need and it might be worth asking them to check magnesium levels as that can be an issue with long term use of Omeprazole .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Menno1525]

Magnesium is a problem with pred too but unfortunately checking blood levels isn;t very meaningful. Magnesium is mainly in the cells and the blood scavenges from the cells to keep the blood level where it should be so it tends to stay apparently normal even though the cells are depleted until there isn't enough to scavenge, You can have symptoms of muscle cramps even though the blood level looks fine.

[Menno1525 in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting. I take a sensible A-Z multivitamin daily to try to keep topped up on this and other stuff - started during lockdown. Not a substitute for a good diet and proper supplements if needed but can’t harm and may help preventatively.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Menno1525]

"but can’t harm"

You might be surprised. Sometimes too much of a given nutrient, especially the artificial variety is not good for you, expecially the fat soluble ones which tend to be stored and the excess not excreted.

[Menno1525 in reply to PMRpro]

oh indeed which is why I now don’t take extra D3 (which I was during lockdown as couldn’t get out much) or other stuff without checking. Have checked amounts in my multi Vit with GP and they’re fine - not the ridiculous megadoses you get in some packages which just give you very expensive urine!