reducing/stopping Omeprazole

[Havanahula]

I have been taking 20 mg of Omeprazole a day since start of Prednisolone originally 40mg 4months ago after GCA diagnosis. I am now reducing and at 9 mg of Prednisolone. I want to come off the Omeprazole as soon as I can ,or try to. My GO appointment is in a months time but I am pretty sure he will be reluctant to this ….

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

You can come of omeprazole- or any other PPI - if you don’t require it any more, but you need to do taper off, not cold turkey…

So you have already halved it, maybe drop down to 10mg initially as see if there is any adverse reaction…if not then cut out one day first week, 2 days second week etc until on zero.

But you may find you need something like Gaviscon to help… just in case you still get reflux..

[Havanahula in reply to DorsetLady]

I thought that would be best way to reduce it ; however you can only get 10mg Omeprazole on prescription so I have to wait and persuade my GP I guess

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Havanahula]

Well maybe try every other day for a couple of weeks -see how that goes. If okay then extend the days not taking anything.

It a bit of trial and error really…,

[Havanahula in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so if it’s manageable I can start with every other day at 20mg but have gaviscon to manage with if I have in between heartburn

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Havanahula]

You can only give it a go.

I stopped it years ago on GPs suggestion -and with no taper and never caused me an issue but was off Pred by then.

Not recommending you try that though. Fortunately I seem to have a very robust constitution- must be the Viking in me🤣

[Havanahula in reply to DorsetLady]

Good job💪😃

[Stills]

I’m not on pred but was prescribed omeprazole for gastric issues last year. I started on 40 mgms a day for 4 months then 20mgms for one month then alternate days two months then as required. I reduced and tapered off due to the dreadful headache that was constant while on it.

[YogaJM]

I have slowly tapered the Omeprazole with no problem. Initially I took it every other day, then three times a week and now twice a week. Good luck!

[Broseley]

I have been told I have to take omeprazole whilst I am on pred. I stopped taking it for a while last year to see if it was causing my persistent diarrhoea. I did not taper and had no problems whatsoever. (Though it didn't help my diarrhoea).

[Griggser]

I stopped taking omeprazole a long time ago as in my mind I just didn’t want all these drugs in my system giving their own sudd effects. I have found that making sure I have food before or with taking steroids has seen me ok. I usually have a live Greek yoghurt which others have said works for them.

[Lclmlbls]

Could you ask your GP to prescribe enteric coated prednisolone? I had Omeprazole for almost a year then asked for the coated Prednisolone. She prescribed 5mg and 2.5mg. If I need to make up a different dosage I have the uncoated ones. This works for me with no reflux problems.