Giving up Omeprazole

[Bcol]

Hi all. I'm contemplating giving up my Omeprazole. I don't seem to have any problems in that area and why take it if not needed (hopefully). I know it has to be tapered off, so thought I could one every two days for a couple of weeks then one every three days for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Does that sound realistic or totally ridiculous? Or I could of course, possibly, have a chat with the doc!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You should run it past GP for sure.If you follow your own suggestion, it should highlight any issues, if you have them...

..don’t tell anyone, but I just stopped mine (with GP agreement)! But then luckily I have an iron constitution!

[Bcol in reply to DorsetLady]

My constitution is normally pretty iron clad, but on thinking about it I did have some trouble many years ago. I do take my Pred with Yogurt and thought it may be worth trying.

[jinasc]

Would not bother with the chat - they will just tell you 'you need it' - one of the 'just in cases'.

Take your pred with Yoghurt (pro biotic if possible). If you do begin to experience eg acid reflux etc, then come and ask the question.............what else can I do?

There are other meds (that don't come with the side effect of aches and pains). There are also a couple of 'old wives tales' which work.

[Bcol in reply to jinasc]

Ta muchly, I take it with yougurt already so hopefully would be OK, but I will have a chat with doc ( if possible).

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is of course possible that you don't have any problems BECAUSE you are on omeprazole. What dose are you on? Can you halve it for the first step? OTC is 10mg I think. And yes - I would tell the GP it is what you would like to do.

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

My apologies PMRPro, I did reply to your reply, but guess I didn't press the button as its not here. I agree my lack of problems could well be because of the Omeprazole, but I guess I won't know unless I try it. I'm on 20mg and it's a capsule so probably can't cut it. It was probably a daft idea and I won't be doing anything about it until I've chatted to the doctor, whenever that might be. It's not urgent so won't be looking for an instant appointment.

[HeronNS]

This looks like an interesting site.

goodrx.com/blog/discontinui...

Also this, although note one of the "bridging" treatments is liquorice, which isn't recommended for people on pred.

practiceupdate.com/content/....

[Bcol in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks you it will give me something to read later.

[Greensleeves]

Hi , I do have bouts of indigestion and dyspepsia even taking the enteric coated pred , which I take late at night or in the early hours.

I have times when I take Omeprazole for a couple of weeks then wean off . I take one every other day to try and stop the rebound acid then stop.

I have stopped it without weaning off but then I’ve sat up all night drinking Gaviscon .

Endoscopy shows inflammation, they advised to take Omeprazole when necessary but not continuously for long periods.

Good luck

[Bcol in reply to Greensleeves]

Thanks

[MrsNails]

Hi Peter

What dose are you on? As you could ask GP for a script to lower it first so you don’t get rebound acid reflux & then go to the every other day scenario.

My tummy is complaining bitterly at the moment, the Antibiotics l’ve just finished have aggravated my tummy (as promised!) 🔥 So l don’t think l’ll be giving my Lansoprazole up any time soon unfortunately....

Good Luck 🍀

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MrsNails]

Probably no ranitidine - famotidine replaces it

[MrsNails in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry, l thought that was an option, l’ll amend my answer.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MrsNails]

Ranitidine has been withdrawn in many countries because of contaminated ingredients - blooming pain ...

[MrsNails in reply to PMRpro]

Ah, so it was an option previously until this contamination issue?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MrsNails]

Yes - sold as Zantac OTC. Cheap as chips and everywhere. Until one of the ingredients from India and China was found to be contaminated.

[MrsNails in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

Not good, think my OH was on Zantac for a while.

[Telian in reply to PMRpro]

I’m taking famotidine with Lansoprazol after 6 years on Omeprazole which has given me gastritis and severe acid reflux plus numerous polyps. The famotidine has really helped plus been able to reduce from 60mg Lansoprazole to 45mg - I don’t like taking anything now....

[Bcol in reply to MrsNails]

I'm on 20mg, I'll try and speak to doc next week and see what she says. Hope things improve when the antibiotics finish. The other thought I'm now having is that if all goes well next week I'll be starting the taper from 7mg to 6mg and sensibly this may not be the right to be playing around and entering other variables.

[MrsNails in reply to Bcol]

Peter see Pro’s comment about Ranitidine, l’ve removed it from my comment.....

[Bcol in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks MrsN I did see it, bit of a B..... if contaminated materials are involved. At least someone has noticed, hopefully without anything serious happening.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

I think the amount was miniscule - so probably not a risk but the stuff was contaminated with a potential carcinogen. The rules say ...

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

Hopefully given my reply above.

[bakingD]

I took Omeprazole for hpylori and found I did get rebound gastritis when I tried to stop but it passed off after a couple of weeks

[Rache]

Hi Bcol., I have tried a few times to wean myself off Lansoprazole but found it was a struggle. It’s almost inevitable that you will experience rebound stomach acid and heartburn and must do it very gradually, substituting something like famotidine for part of the time at first, then maybe taking famotidine alone. But investigations showed that I have a hiatus hernia and loose stomach valve so may have found it more difficult than most. An endoscopy a few years ago showed some new streaks of inflammation in my oesophagus after a period during which I had spent some time trying to give up Lansoprazole. The consultant said the remedy was to continue with a PPI. I have had to accept this especially now I am taking pred which makes thing worse. You may not have these added problems and may find it easier. And I wish you well if you decide to try to wean yourself off it. 🙂

[Bcol in reply to Rache]

Thanks Rache and sorry to hear of your problems. I think I'll stay with the present until I have had a chat with the doc.

[RoadTrip]

I ended up on 2 x 20 mg omeprazole, one with pred the other before evening meal and have been weaning this down. I was given some 10 mg tablets and found taking one of these instead of the 20 mg was too big a reduction. I then did slow taper downwards 5 days 20mg 1 day 10 mg etc. bit over the top perhaps but seems to have worked. Now on 30 mg total per day and tapering down to 20mg. My stomach is very sensitive to pred ( no problems before) as now cannot have anything spicy, even too much pepper irritates it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Bcol in reply to RoadTrip]

As far as I can remember I've never been on that much, only ever the 20mg and that was because the doc thought I needed them with the Naproxen I used to take for my OA. Long time ago that was. Far as I know it has never given me a problem. Likewise I've never had a problem with the Pred but of course, that could also be because I'm on the Omeprazole. I'm going to leave it as it is until I chat with the doctor when convenient. It's not urgent so no rush. Good luck with your continuing raper downwards.

[Kaaswinkel72]

From the start of my PMR 4 yrs ago and on high dose of prednisone I have never been offered omeprazol and never had any problems with my stomach and guts either. I take my prednisone with my breakfast, usually two eggs... so it really depends on your gp which strategy is followed. I have never been referred to a rheumatologist and to be honest...I am not missing that at all looking at the experiences many of us on this forum have had. ...

[Bcol in reply to Kaaswinkel72]

I take my Pred with Yogurt and don't have a problem, as far as I know!! I haven't even seen a doctor, let alone a Rheumy. Diagnosis done over the phone. Seen nurse for blood tests, talk to doc on phone occasionally, think November was last time, send her a complete Excel diary when needing repeat Pred prescription, she gives me what I ask for, or more, and leaves me to it. Thanks heaven's for HU and the amazing people on this forum. Given the experiences we read about here I'm fairly happy with that.

[PainInTheDeltoids]

As I understand things, taking an acid suppression medication (- prazole or - itidine) is to reduce the damage done to your stomach lining by Prednisolone. This can be subtle and is not necessarily associated with indigestion, but can simply present as anaemia from unknown internal bleeding in the more mature population. I note a couple of respondants have remarked that there has been 'inflammation' and 'streaking' found on endoscopy. Pred seems to reduce the natural defence mechanisms that stop the stomach acid from digesting it's own stomach lining. Whilst the majority of people will get little benefit from taking acid suppression, there will be a few who have disastrous internal bleeding, which can be life threatening, or at best a cause of unwanted investigations in hospital.So . . . . on that note, I'm going to keep taking my tablets!

[Kaaswinkel72 in reply to PainInTheDeltoids]

Thank you . Can I ask you what you base those remarks on.. did you read a medical journal you can give me the name of? I have never heard about all this and I would like to read about it for myself.

[PainInTheDeltoids in reply to Kaaswinkel72]

Hi Kaaswinkel,I was a GP for 35 years, and this was always the rationale behind -prazole prescribing with Pred. I will try and find some up-to-date evidence for you.

[Kaaswinkel72 in reply to PainInTheDeltoids]

That is great thank you. It is always good to back up claims we make. I appreciate that.

[Bagadash in reply to PainInTheDeltoids]

Very interested to read your post. I take omeprazole 20mg a day to counter the effects of Pred and recently became anaemic. Stool test showed non visible blood so had all the usual tests(have a history of Crohn’s disease) but everything was normal in that department so maybe the blood was from the stomach. Food for thought. I always take Pred with food but interested to read about yogurt and think I will incorporate more of that in my diet. I have a very sensitive stomach and drugs often affect me badly.

[mgrogers99 in reply to PainInTheDeltoids]

You are correct. I am a retired RN. I had a gastric bleed from steroids for pneumonia years back. Now with PMR/steroids for two years, I take something with prevention in mind.

[Bcol]

Hi, going to stick with my present routine until I have a long chat with doc when it's appropriate.

[Daffodilia]

I think trust your GP if he is a good one

[Bcol in reply to Daffodilia]

If its about PMR then I trust the She, I try to talk to, rather than the He's. (if that makes sense).

[Daffodilia in reply to Bcol]

Understand but I like my current male GP too

[Bcol in reply to Daffodilia]

No problem, it wasn't a sexist thing she seems to know more about PMR and is very understanding.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

You don't live in Whitby do you? The practice my daughter uses has a few married couples doing job shares , In at least one case. Mrs Dr X is far preferable to Mr Dr X ...

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

No, sadly not. I like Whitby, walking up the hill is a bit of a drag though!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

You can say that again! And in a few awful positions it's a hill wherever you go!!!

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

Tiz indeed, fish N chips is good though.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

That I will not deny!!!

[Pome]

I was taking Omeprazole for about 25 years, because of gerd problems.About 6 months ago I had a dexa scan and found out I have osteoporosis, I had only been on pred for 8 months, not long enough to cause the damage I have. I put it down to ppi's. I haven't taken it since, I didn't taper off I just stopped. No problems since regarding stomach issues although my diet has dramatically changed for the better since the gca came along. Apart from a dose of Gaviscon now and again it's been ok.

[Bcol in reply to Pome]

My last DEXA scan was, excellent so I don't have an Osteoporosis problem at the moment, but I am going to chat to doc before I do anything.

[Liby57]

Hi I was on Lanzaprozole 30mg but after looking at the side effects and implications of taking decided I was coming off it. I dropped from 30mg to 15mg for about 2 weeks then took 15mg every 3rd day for a week before coming off it altogether with no issues. I did discuss it with my GP though. I do take Pred with extra thick yoghurt and so far so good.

[Liby57]

When PPI is stopped, a common side effect is rebound acid secretion, where the acid secretion in your stomach increases significantly. This should return to normal within 2 weeks

[pegpowell]

I was given omeprazole when an ulcer erupted after blood thinner given during knee replacement. Ulcer apparently formed when given Ibuprofen before PMR diagnosis. A year later, ulcer again bled when attempting to change from PPI to another medication and ended up in ICU for two days. Have been on 20 mgs omeprazole since 2017. Afraid to go off this medication now.

[Mooreby]

I thought I was taking Omeprazole for my stomach "as needed" I took it for about a week and thought, I don't really need this, my stomach is fine and I just stopped. Didn't feel the need to consult my GP who prescribed it because it said "as needed". I had no ill effects from stopping it, and that was about 3 months ago.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mooreby]

Omeprazole isn't something to take "as needed" - that's what Gaviscon and co are for. The PPIs are meant to be taken daily over however long because of how they work - although they were never intended for use for more than a couple of weeks except under medical supervision.

[Mooreby in reply to PMRpro]

Well that was the direction on my prescription bottle, "as needed" and my GP when she prescribed it said, "take this in case your medication gets too rough on your stomach". So I guess I didn't think it was too serious an issue when I just stopped. I had no problem though.

[Yuiop]

Hubby had to come off it as the supply was difficult to get hold of, he had no problems at all.

[AmberAliona]

Hi, I’m on Esomeprazole, 40mgs am and pm, but I have Barrett’s Oesophagus. Even with this dose I still swallow Gaviscon and still have acid reflux. Endoscopy next week, thank goodness. Should have been 12 months ago, but Covid cancelled that.

[tytto]

everyone certainly reacts differently. My physician did not prescribe anything when I began pred. I was to take with food and if there was a problem he would prescribe: same thing with insomnia.Fortunately I have had no problems in 2 years. Now I take my pred with a square of graham cracker and water and return to sleep!

Breakfast is about 2 hours later....lucky me.

[Llarmel]

I have been thinking the same, I’m down to 2-3mg of Pred a day and wondered if I could cut out the Omeprazole, I guess the only way to find out is see what happens.

[Bcol]

Hi, I'm on a little more than that but have decided that it would be sensible to stay with my present scenario, particularly as it doesn't seem to be having any adverse effects on me, and then have a chat with my Doc, at sometime or other, before making a decision. It's not an urgent matter so will probably leave that until I need to talk to her about something else. I probably need to organise some blood tests so may do it then, although that normally only involves one of the nurses.

[susieqleam]

I stopped taking mine and felt much better for it. Good luck x

[Catseyes235]

Sorry v busy at mo but have a look at my past posts on Omeprazole! Gave them up, changed to sourdough bread etc. Keep on standby for emergency bad eating out but maybe had 6 in the last year?