… Omeprazole problems

[KC6755]

Hello . Wondering if you had any advice on Omeprazole and taking an alternative as it has given me untold gastric issues . GP has now prescribed Famotidine instead , and how common are stomach ulcers due to the Prednisolone?

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Have replicated my reply to your pm for completeness -

I never had any issues taking Omeprazole when I was on steroids…have no experience of Famotidine, sorry. 

Many people just take their steroids with good quality yogurt which protects the stomach, but the problem of ulcers probably depends how susceptible you are.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Famotidine is a different sort of acid suppressant so it has different - and usually fewer - side effects. I only use anything when I am needing high dose NSAIDs as well for a back problem and then my rheumy insists. Omeprazole and co are said to cause unpleasant side effects for about a third of patients - and don't work for another third. There are a lot on the forum who take their pred with food, including just yoghurt.

[piglette]

I take enteric coated steroids and no PPI.

[Grammy80]

My relationship with ulcers started almost 50 years ago. I experienced one bleed, duodenal, and multiple upsets over the years, plus a severe stomach bleed requiring transfusion from too much Ibuprofen when I broke my ankle (a mere 30 years ago). GI issues were a concern.

About 2.5 years ago, my doctor added sucralfate three times daily, and I've had no stomach problems or side effects. I take the tablets. My best💞

[Janstr]

When I had acid reflux, my GP at the time who was also a herbalist suggested

1. Most importantly take a pro-biotic

2. Eat fermented food such as kimchi, yoghurt, kumbucha

3 Eat bitter veges such as rocket

I did this as well as taking pentoprazol (my spelling of this may not be correct), & after a month stopped taking the drug, but continued with 1,2&3

[Pr0jection]

I was on Omeprazole for a while when I was diagnosed with diverticulitis and gastritis. Some GP's only want you on this for a maximum of 2 years, so after a while I changed to taking Goat's kefir three times a day and a probiotic. No problems since.

[bakingD]

I tried Omeprazole,Lanzoprasole,Famotidine- couldn’t get on with any of them

Switched to EC Pred and slowly my gastritis settled- and has stayed away!

[Karenjaninaz]

Any class of drug like omeprazole, pantoprazole make me a hot air balloon .

I tolerate famotidine very well when taking the higher doses of pred otherwise Ii get stomach pain. In my case, taking pred with food was not adequate. I have lactose intolerance so even yogurt not an option. We are all so different.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Plenty of lactose-free products here!

[Karenjaninaz in reply to PMRpro]

I haven't found a suitable, lactose free yogurt, in the US, that doesn't have sugar or some filler.

[Chihuahua1]

I had gastric issues with omeprazole and my dr doubled my dose from 20mg to 40mg. I half expected the problems to get worse, but they didn't. It actually stopped all the side effects and I have been taking it for years without further issues.

[HeronNS in reply to Chihuahua1]

Please just be aware that because it can interfere with nutrient absorption it can lead to bone thinning and contribute to the development of osteoporosis. It was not originally supposed to be used for long periods of time, probably at least in part for this very reason.

[Karendeena]

Hi there, I had gastric problems with the 'prazoles' and changed to Famotidine one tablet per day, no problems with it. My GP says I must take a stomach protector as I am on anticoagulants

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Karendeena]

"My GP says I must take a stomach protector as I am on anticoagulants"

So am I - but I have never taken anything except in a very specific situation with a course of NSAIDs.

[Karendeena in reply to PMRpro]

PMRpro, do you have any stomach problems from the prednisolone?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Karendeena]

Not that have come to anyone's notice so far.