Esomeprazole after 14 days?!

[Stephenjjohnson1978]

I’m a bit confused by the advice on Nexium / Guardium / esomeprazole. It says you should consult your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or worsen after 14 days, and should stop taking it as soon as symptoms improve. Taking it for 2-3 days makes my symptoms disappear completely. However, once I stop taking it, depending on what I eat, they may then reappear after another 2-3 days. Is it unsafe to take esomeprazole for more than 2-3 days?!

[Hidden]

Hi... Are you in the right forum? This is for people with pmr and gca. Some do take proton pump inhibitors due to medications. Perhaps your underlying condition is not resolving and you need to run it past your gp. If you take it long term and stop you can suffer rebound reflux but 2 or 3 days shouldn't cause rebound reflux. Like I say I would see a Dr for the symptoms you are trying to treat.

[Stephenjjohnson1978 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I just posted the question here as this was the page I was taken to. I shall delete the question if I’m in the wrong forum. Sorry about that! ☹️

[Hidden in reply to Stephenjjohnson1978]

No don't worry!! You might find a forum that deals with your symptoms as well as how you can utilise ppis effectively. Good luck 🌻😁

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You probably ended up here because all of us take corticosteroids and a lot of us are on a PPI of some sort to "protect" our stomachs as they say - pred irritates the stomach in some people, the PPI is supposed to reduce the risk of a gastric bleed. We don't mind - if we can help with advice that's good.

The PPIs were never designed originally to be taken long term. However, GPs use them in that way. The warning is because if the problem doesn't resolve then it should be checked out in case it is something that requires proper investigation and a different form of management, not just taking OTC remedies which may mask something serious.

Long term use of PPIs may increase the risk of osteoporosis because they reduce absorption of calcium from the diet. Also when you take them long term you shouldn't just stop taking them suddenly as you may find you have a rebound increased production of acid and worse symptoms than before. That shouldn't happen after just a few days though, just normal return of acid production once the effect of the medication wears off.

Have you asked your GP about the problem? It sounds as if you have specific foods that cause problems? There are several things that can cause this - and maybe you need a bit more than just a quick fix - because that is all it is used like this.

[SnazzyD]

It doesn’t mean you can’t take it for more than 14 days, it is just to make sure people go back to their doc if it isn’t working. You’ll need them for as long as the cause of your gastric problems are present. They don’t fix the problem, they just cut down the acid production in your stomach to help you with the irritation from your other issues or meds.

[Hidden in reply to SnazzyD]

Indeed I was on a daily ppi for 17years!

[Jan_Noack in reply to Hidden]

and you stopped?

[Hidden in reply to Jan_Noack]

I tapered off after my first stop! When I was diagnosed with diabetes 20yrs ago it was standard practice to prescribe aspirin and a ppi. Then a few years ago Dr realised aspirin not standard so stopped both. I tapered over 4 to 6 weeks after my first sad attempt of cold turkey.

[lesley2015]

I have been taking Esomeprazole for over 3 years to help my tummy cope with my other meds with no problems, but clearly check with your doctor.