omeprazole

[NormaB]

does everyone who’s on prednisol take omeprazole or similar?

[SnazzyD]

There certainly are as well those who use different approaches. Do you have a particular question about it?

[Kendrew]

Hi NormaB,

I have been on prednisolone for 3½yrs and right from day one my rheumatologist wanted to prescribe omeprazole as a precautionary measure. I refused them until such a time as I had evidence or symptoms to support the necessity for them. So far I've not required them!

I do however take gastro-resistant tablets and I'm careful to avoid spicy, hot foods or anything else that could irritate my stomach/gut lining, such as alcohol for instance.

If such a time comes when I begin to experience warning signs or symptoms that I need them, then obviously I will do the sensible thing and consult with my GP or rheumatologist again.

We're all different though and your decision must be based on your own personal circumstances and no one else's.

So...in answer to your question ... No, not everyone takes omeprazole or similar.

[NormaB in reply to Kendrew]

thank you

[Koalajane]

I don’t and wasn’t prescribed it by my doctor. I always take my prednisolone with my breakfast. I have been on pred for nearly 6 years

[NormaB in reply to Koalajane]

thank you

[Maryis80 in reply to Koalajane]

Like koala Jane I take pred at breakfast time together with quinine tabs and leflumonide and apixaban for blood thinning. Been on pred for over five years and have also been taking oneprazole and calcium pills but rheumy says to start weaning myself off those as I am down to 3mg pred reducing to 2-1 alternating in the new year.

[Miserere in reply to Koalajane]

The practice nurse at the surgery prescribed omeprazole yesterday - I've been on prednisolone for 21 months and have not had a problem. The only resistant coated I have are the 2.5mg. As I have OA of the knee and waiting to see a specialist he said it might allow me to use ibuprofen for pain as I am allergic to paracetamol. So far I've not used any pain-killers and will try not to. He did seem surprised that they had not been prescribed before, though. Now I am wondering whether I should take them.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Miserere]

I have never taken a PPI in 13+ years.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Miserere]

Do you have any stomach issues?.. if not, then why add a PPI... unless you do intend to use ibuprofen then it may be sensible,

[Miserere in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL and PMRpro. I think I will manage without painkillers - I'd rather do that than add another medication which just adds to the load and probably causes more side effects. I always think that one med can lead to another to cope with the side effects and then you are on the slippery slope. It's just the way he looked at me and said aren't you taking Omeprazole - I'd recommend it. I shall continue as normal. I make a lot of bone broth, take L-glutamine and am on a low carb diet so I'm not challenging the stomach very often - just an occasional glass of red wine and I've even stopped that in the hope of dropping a few more pounds and taking any excess load off the knee. Thanks, as always, ladies.

[winfong]

Not I. Never had any need to. Was never mentioned by any of my docs.

[nallufl24]

only took it for 2 weeks when I was on 60 mg pred

[Bcol]

Yes, always right from the start and for many years when my OA was at its worst. As far as I know its never been detrimental to me.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No - I have never taken a PPI in over 13 years of pred. I HAVE used famotidine during a course of i.v. NSAIDs along with the pred for a back problem.

[Towdy]

No, pred for 12 years. Did try it but caused stomach issues for me

[KASHMIRI1]

I have taken Omeprazole for nearly three years with no problems. My rheumatologist was emphatic that l should take it due to long term use of steroids. My Dexa scan this year was normal. I have also taken famotadine which l have found to be very good. I worked with someone who had taken steroids for a long time can't remember what for now without a ppi and was left with long term stomach issues that couldn't be resolved.

[Jackoh]

No I have never taken a PPI. I take my tablets with yoghurt in the morning. 💐

[Daffodilia]

I take pantaprazole - started after some time on pred - to protect stomach I think

[PastelsinArt]

Yes. I was already taking 20mg. omeprazole for acid reflux when I started on pred nearly 3 years ago. Then the dose was doubled. Now that my pred is down to 2.5mg I'm trying to get back to the original dose, but often need the second tablet by evening. The only side effect I've noticed is needing to take magnesium to help with restless legs at night.

[Octi]

I was prescribed omeprazole from the moment I started my steroid journey. Are you concerned about taking it?

Some years ago I was put on a high dose of Naproxen with no mention of needing omeprazole to go alongside it. I developed a very large stomach ulcer which burst and I lost a huge amount of blood. Very luckily for me, I was in hospital when it happened so I had life saving surgery pretty quickly.

Immediately afterwards I was put on an omeprazole drip for 3 days and had to take it daily for a year afterwards. It never caused me any problems so I’ve been perfectly happy to take it alongside my steroids since I started on them.

[sewinggranny]

Yes, I've been taking 10mg omeprazole a day since I started on prednisolone back in June. It hasn't caused me any problems so far.

[Broseley]

Ditto sewinggranny, since September 2021. I have been told I have to take them as long as I am on pred.

[Harrywogan]

Hi NormaB took it for a few years then stopped it,take pills with breakfast and never had a problem and gp never asked me about,but mayb I have cast iron stomach, Take Care x

[Exflex]

Yes since day one 3 years ago. Still take it even though I’m down to 2mg Pred, but I take a lot of other medicines too.

[oscarandchloe]

I only took it when on high Pred dose (45mg) and now take my 5mg with glass of kefir. I'm extra careful re -omeprazole as my husband took it for 5 years for acid reflux and it probably contributed to a severe kidney problem.

[Uglow]

I stopped and have been fine x

[Joseph14612]

I have taken Lansoprazole for many years for reflux 30 mg and no problems.

[Tiggy70]

I had been on Omeprazole or similar for over 20 years for acid reflux and have continued whilst taking Pred. I take 20mg first thing in the morning. I suffer periodically with IBS and also take digestive enzymes to help with my digestion. I don’t think stopping them is an option for me.

[Plains in reply to Tiggy70]

me too! I take 40 mg in the morning. I was taking it before being out on Prednisone.

[Dochaz]

I was prescribed Omeprazole when I started on 40 mg of Pred, but stopped gradually (every other day for a week, then none) when I got down to 7 mg. No issues either on it or off it.

[Karendeena]

No it didn't suit me, I take famotidine instead, it works differently and doesn't upset my GI

[Janstr]

My former GP who was also a a herbalist, told me instead of omeprazole to

1. Take pro-biotics

2. Eat bitter veges like rocket

3. Eat/drink fermented foods like yoghurt, sauerkraut

[Bcol]

Just been to the chemist for a new Omeprazole prescription only to be informed they have not got any and don't know when/if they will be getting any more, so got to have a rethink anyway.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

Famotidine, cimetidine ...

Must be your imagination - no shortage of medications according to the gubmint!!!!

[Bcol in reply to PMRpro]

Left it with docs to sort out, they might decide to stop it altogether. I've probably got enough for a fairly gentle slide to nothing.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bcol]

That's the important bit.