Taking Emeprozole

[diana1998]

My packet just says take one 20mg emeprazole capsule per day. Can't see anything in instruction leaflet re how to take with prednisolone. Been on sterods for pmr for 6 years and never taken it till recently. Just read one should wait 2 hours before taking pred. I've been taking it one hr before breakfast on empty stomach, then take pred (3.5) after breakfast. Is this too soon and I'm doing it all wrong?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It's probably fine. I doubt anyone else times their doses any more accurately than that!

[Seacat30]

When I took Lansoprazole, which is a similar PPI, the leaflet said to take 1/2 to 1 hour before food. I took mine 1/2 hour before breakfast and took my pred with that meal.

[Sharitone]

The chemist's sticky label on my pred says 'Do not take indigestion remedies 2 hours before or after you use this medicine'. I asked the pharmacist and she said, as far as I remember, that an hour would be all right.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

The main thing that is directed at is things like Rennies or Tums or other similar indigestion remedies which are exactly the same as the calcium supplements: calcium carbonate and other similar salts. Calcium carbonate is thought to coat the pred tablets and prevent them breaking down and being absorbed - so reducing the pred dose you get. It also works the other way - further down the gut the pred interferes with absorption of calcium which is important for bones.

[Sharitone in reply to PMRpro]

Are you saying it wouldn't matter too much to take omeprazole at the same time as pred? I do hope so! I'm running out of two-hour slots!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sharitone]

A lot of people take omeprazole half an hour before breakfast and the pred after breakfast. I've just looked at a few NHS Trust leaflets about pred and PPIs and none of them say not to take them at the same time so I'd think before breakfast and with breakfast is fine - they do all suggest taking pred with food.

[Sharitone in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks. Don't forget to send me your bill!

[HeronNS]

I'm curious as to why you need a PPI after six years on pred? Has something changed that you need stomach protection? It may have some negative effect on your bones if taken longterm.

[diana1998 in reply to HeronNS]

Supposedly to protect the stomach. I'd never needed to take it but the surgery was horrified and said to start it immediately as it's always recommended with pred. I had been feeling very nauseous but 2 dessertspoons of cracked linseeds sort that plus maybe the emeprozole. So I'm left with taking it. However, I've noticed I don't clear my throat in the morning half so much since I've been on it. So maybe not all bad. I've got friends who've been on it for years.

[HeronNS in reply to diana1998]

I've been taking pred since June 2015, and never needed more than breakfast, or now that I take it at night a small helping of plain yoghurt (not skim milk) or kefir has been sufficient. Am I just lucky?

[diana1998 in reply to HeronNS]

I was like that for nearly 6 years! Very lucky I guess! 😄

[Blossom20 in reply to HeronNS]

Lucky I guess! I'm now on the Omeprazole! I posted recently about my stomach issues and how I was resisting taking it.... Well it got worse - burning stomach pain and gallstone type pains in the right side and back.Gp examined me and seemed to be worried about ulceration (testing blood pressure etc). So I took it for 5 days and then every other day for a few days then stopped.

But it just comes back. I don't like the Om...it wakes me up in the night with worry and gives me wind, but isn't as bad as I expected. So I'm trying to take it as and when needed.

[Suffererc in reply to HeronNS]

I have been taking Lanzaprole since starting Pred 4 years ago. GP reduced dose to 15 a few months ago. Started research to find side effects and they can take calcium away from bones. Decided not to take and GP was horrified. Am not taking now using Greek yogurt. Could be why my Dexa scan disappointed me. Taking Pred, AA, and Lanzaprole all affects bones. Bones don’t stand a chance

[diana1998 in reply to Suffererc]

I've never taken AA but do take tiny gel dose of hrt.

[Benos123]

Hi,

The arrival of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) in the late 80's was heralded as the answer to my almost 20 years of stomach & ulcer pains and sickness, and yet here I am another 30 years older, somewhat wiser and at the very least not dead yet

They've been prescribed to me along with everything else for all the various illnessnes I've enjoyed since, and which make up about 4 x A4 pages. Some of the PPIs I liked, some I didnt, some made me sick and others gave me the runs and I eventually got off the lot of them after I had "been settled on a real oldy called Ranitidine" and it too was then banned/withdrawn. (PS no offence meant to us oldies).

I then thought as PPI's are supposedly for the stomach, lets see do I have any issues with my stomach and as I hadn't any at that time, and for God knows how long before, I decided I'd call their bluff and wait till the next stomach discomfort, (excessive bloating/belching and or painful) episode to arrive. Note: I can tell the "ulcer" type deep down inside pain apart from any other and on at least five occasions, it's taken endoscopies to prove my case and that the subsequent and supposedly "once off for life triple therapy" is a smoke n mirorrs jobby contrived by pharma and the medical profession!

When the next episode did arrive, I started straight off with 40mgs daily of "someeprazole" or the other and usually after four or five days, or when I'd sense an easing, I would then reduce the dose to 20mgs until issue was resolved and when then I'm back to my very varied "seefood " diet including Curry, Chilli & PIRI Wings etc and which tend to console me whilst I then "sadly"wait for months and months and months for the next episode.

Oh btw, I've also been all over the place with Prednisolone for at least the last 20 years and in my humble opinion it's still the best of the lot because you know what you get with it, once it's managed EFFECTIVELY.

Finally and for your re-assurance, may I direct you, on the basis of there being no smoke without fire, to the following review from the world renowned Mayo Clinic (definetly not a fly by night organisation) link for a little light reading by the fire on these winter nights and probably best accompanied by a nice glass of sherry & mince pie, provided of cource the stomach's ok. mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

The moral to my humble is "IF IT AIN'T BROKE WHY FIX IT"

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL! - HO Ho ho.

[diana1998 in reply to Benos123]

👍👍👍