Omeprazole-how much to take and how often?

[Cyclo5]

I have a question about omeprazole, the medicine generally prescribed to protect the stomach lining from prednisolone side effects.

I take 7mg pred/day and have been prescribed 2x20 mg Omeprazole/day. I'm not a fan and usually take 1 x20mg omeprazole every other day. It can contribute to Osteopenia/osteoporosis, as far as I understand.

What do others think about Omeprazole? How much do you take, how often? What gut side effects have folks experienced due to prednisolone?

Thanks.

[SnazzyD]

I was prescribed with just 1x20mg, though in the end I couldn’t get on with it. Was there a reason they wanted you to have 40mg or just belt and braces? Does 20mg do the trick?

[Cyclo5 in reply to SnazzyD]

I always take pred after food with plenty of water. I've never had any gastric side effects from pred, so really not sure why I'm prescribed 2x20mg.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Cyclo5]

Conviction on the doctor's part that it is essential - just like their belief that weight gain, diabetes, osteoporosis are all inevitable.

[SnazzyD in reply to Cyclo5]

Some people aren’t bothered and you are taking only 7mg , though that would still have burnt a hole in me. However, if you decide to discontinue, do not just stop it because you can get a rebound acid production, so it needs tailing off. It might be worth asking a pharmacist whether you can just stop 20mg of the 40mg or not.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

They usually suggest halving the dose from 20 to 10 but I don't know if the 40 to 20 step doing the same would work OK, big difference.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The dose depends on why you are taking it - reflux, for example, is usually 10mg in the evening. Otherwise the dose tends to be based on need.

I've never taken anything because of pred - haven't had problems. I did take something for a week while being given infusions of high dose NSAIDs - no desire to repeat either!

[Cyclo5 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, I've never had reflux or other pred side effects since reducing to under 12mg. I did have stomach cramps when taking 20mg and down to c12/15mg, they would last about an hour then dissappear.

[Koalajane]

I don’t take it at all and make sure I have my prednisolone with food

[jinasc]

I avoided all stomach protection tablets, a pro-biotic Yoghurt with a teaspoonful of Manuka Honey (natural antibiotic) before taking pred and never had a problem.

I had GCA and started on 60mg and finally into remission 5 years later.

Omeprazole, read the side effects, one of the common ones is aches and pains.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to jinasc]

Let's be fair - most drugs include aches and pains in the adverse effects!!!!

[TheBund]

Be careful on omeprazole I have ended up with acute kidney injury Stage 3. The tablet has caused inflammation in the tubes. I should have had blood tests to monitor my kidney function but along came the pandemic. Have had treatment now but nearly caused dialysis or worst case kidney transplant. Will be monitored for the rest of my life fingers crossed there is no further reduction in my kidney function!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to TheBund]

Another reason why regular blood tests are essential - and not a luxury, pandemic or no pandemic.

[TheBund in reply to PMRpro]

No blood test August until end of January probably when the damage was done, next blood beginning of April when diagnosis swiftly followed! Yes pls nag drs re bloods

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to TheBund]

Could you post this as a thread in its own right? Then a lot more people will see it. Many doctors are very dilatory about blood tests.

[TheBund in reply to PMRpro]

Yes will do not sure how though? Will have a go later today have to go out now.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to TheBund]

Scroll to the top of the page and somewhere at the top right there should be a box with a pen icon and Write - click on that and a box comes up. You need a title for the top box and then write the post in the lower box

[jeannette65 in reply to TheBund]

Hi I’ve been on omepraziole too for R A and GCAj and many other drugs. About 4 years ago my doctor called me in as the hospital had warned him my kidney function was down to 40 percent. Nothing was ever done and as I hav

[Cyclo5 in reply to TheBund]

Sorry to hear that news.

[fitfatty]

When I started taking prednisolone I was also prescribed 10mg of omeprazole once a day.

[Alchemy8]

I have been constantly offered PPI's for years, well before being diagnosed (to my mind IMHO this is part of the Leaky Gut scenario viewed as potentially contributing to the vasculitis lying at the root of PMR) but they don't agree with me. I certainly don't want to be on them long term as there is sufficient evidence based info out there that this is not a good thing. A trained herbalist suggested I try Marshmallow Root powder which I take before each meal (teaspoon in a glass of water) to line the stomach and I find it incredibly effective.

webmd.com/vitamins-suppleme...

[Jemsea in reply to Alchemy8]

Glad to hear someone else takes marshmallow root powder. I too use marshmallow root. I was so impressed by the anti-inflammatory effects I am now growing it in my garden. I have been using the leaves through the Summer, but haven't yet had the courage to dig up the root in case I kill it off. The whole of the plant is edible and has different uses. Tulsi is another impressively anti-inflammatory herb. I planted this in my garden too, but my little Italian gardener dug it out thinking it was a weed. Tusli is wonderful for the respiratory system as is marshmallow root. I have two cups of Tulsi tea every day now,

[Alchemy8 in reply to Jemsea]

Great!! I order it as don't have the patience to do all the things herbalists do but it lasts. It has certainly been a great boon with my reflux etc. over the last year.