Does Lansaprazole irritate the stomach

[marionofnorwich]

I am trying to work out whether or not Lansaprazole is upsetting my tummy/digestive system. I have been taking Pred fro three years now, getting down from 15mg to 4mg last year, falring and returning to 10mg now back to 4mg a year later.

I started on the standard precautionary Alendronic Acid, Ad-Cal and Lanzaprazole and something often made my abdomen bloat quite painfully to the extent that I now have a herniated belly button.

After a while (a year) I dropped Lansaprazole and eventually AA too (which I suspected for the bloating which did settle down). I don't normally have digestive problems.

So most of the time I haven't been taking Lansaprazole but occasionally I worry about what the Pred is up to invisibly and start taking it again. So I have been taking it again over the last few days, possibly prompted by a slight upset stomach which I realised (thanks to the forum) may have been caused by a switch from Ad-Cal to Calci-D which I have reverted now.

Today and yesterday I have had a very unsettled and upset feeling and the old bloated feeling (though not as bad as at the start). I am wondering if it is the Lansaprazole - but of course upset stomach is exactly what it is meant to prevent. Am I just contrary? Or is it a known side effect? Anyone know?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is a well known effect and discussed here quite often, It is said the PPIs work for about a third, for a third they have no effect and for the other third they cause unpleasane and intolerable adverse effects, Not much of a record if you ask me! It is acid productioon they affect - nothing to do to with "upset stomach"

For some it is possibly the total lack of acid that is the problem - my husband couldn't take PPIs or calcium carbonate, he practically exploded. If you want to take something then try an H2 antagonist, slightly less effective than a PPI so probably enough acid left to avoid the bloating - famotidine (OTC Pepcid) or cimetidine (OTC Tagamet) are worth trying as they have a different mechanism of action as that may also be the problem.

[marionofnorwich in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks  PMRpro I feel as though I need a bit of a medication overhaul and am suffering from 'drug-sprawl' if there is such a thing. From supplements such as calcium, vitamin D. cod liver oil, to prescription drugs - pred of course, a statin now, blood pressure med (which I am not currently taking but probably need to as BP is high) as it also caused extreme fluid retention in my legs - at least not stomach that time. I feel as though I have a mix (as many people do) and some may be counteracting others. I feel fine on just pred, have recently accepted the statins which have at least lowered my cholesterol from 7 to 4.5 (but may have raised my BP, not sure, something has) but fear that not taking Ad-Cal in year 2 of PMR may have caused the insufficiency fracture in my knee. Until 2020, i took nothing at all. Grrrr.

[marionofnorwich in reply to marionofnorwich]

Sorry for the rant! Will drop the Lansaprazole again and see what happens

[SnazzyD in reply to marionofnorwich]

I love “drug sprawl”. The ‘azoles give me upset gut and bloating.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Great concept isn't it!

[Stills in reply to marionofnorwich]

’Drug sprawl ‘ this us a very way to describe it and should be included in the FAQ page 😆

[marionofnorwich]

I often feel as though I want to reel it all in and start again...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to marionofnorwich]

Know what you mean! Does happen though - I have got rid of 2 alarms recently with a change of medication that went from 1 that was 3x daily to a different one that is 1x daily AND can be taken at the same time as the anticoagulant! Morning and evening and pred before bed = magic!

[LoveMygarden29 in reply to marionofnorwich]

I’m feeling exactly the same! Trying to work out what is causing stomach upsets. As SnazzyD says, the ‘AZOLES’ are a no, no for me. Even Famotidine is no good. I’m having a horrible time with Methotrexate a few days after I take it. I’ve also stopped AdCal for the same reason. I started on 60mg Pred 18 months ago and now trying to last on 7.5. I am now a nervous wreck wondering what ‘tomorrow’ will bring, and whether it’s safe to be leaving out these drugs. I take about 9 things now .. I think it’s all too much for my system. Reading your message is very helpful…good luck…you are not alone x

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to LoveMygarden29]

I take 9 different medications each day too, each with its own potential side effects. It’s difficult to work out which is causing what.

[Stills in reply to LoveMygarden29]

’AZOLES’ - great terminology 😀

[marionofnorwich]

Also the order of what to take when and what affects what. For example I have gathered that Ad-Cal affects the absorption of pred but not sure how long to leave it afterwards given that I have to take one in the morning and one in the evening. I preferred Calci-D from that point of view as just one dose per day. I generally don't end up taking my pred till around 11am which is probably not optimal either. I am at 4mg and I read somewhere (was it PMRpro ?) saying that when trying to kick in the adrenals then it is best to take pred at midnight - did I remember that correctly? But that is when I take a statin and does that affect pred? And when is the best time to fit in any other vitamin-type supplements - someone recommended NAC and someone else vitamin K2 or do they clash? So no thinking also about controlling blood pressure, there are few slots in the day left!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to marionofnorwich]

see this compilation re timings from FAQs -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...