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Whipple surgery and Omeprazole
Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: Feb 14 9:58am | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
Interesting and educational thread for me!
For those of you on pantoprazole:
1) Are you taking tablets or a liquid form?
2) Are the tablets effective?
3) Was your Whipple procedure a "pylorus-preserving" procedure?
My 2022 Whipple was pylorus-preserving, and there was no recommendation for any anti-ulcer meds.
I had a stent placed in September 2024 after the recurrent tumor blocked my gastric outlet, which (I think) basically opened up my stomach outlet "full-time like a pylorus-NON-preserving" Whipple.
Between the stent and the radiation that preceded it, I also developed an ulcer, and got a prescription for liquid (compounded) pantoprazole (which tastes horrible). The prescription only covered about a month of treatment (no refills).
It sounds like I might need to be on this medication longer-term, and if tablets are effective, they sound like a more preferable option.
Any comments on why Rx pantoprazole over OTC omeprazole? Google had a note "Omeprazole also has more drug interactions than pantoprazole" from this article:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/omeprazole-vs-pantoprazole-similarities-and-differences-7965062#
which was informative but not definitive.
Thanks everyone!
Replies to "Interesting and educational thread for me! For those of you on pantoprazole: 1) Are you taking..."
I had pylorus preserving Whipple, I take the small 40 mg pantoprazole daily, my surgeon absolutely said inmust to avoid an ulcer. Yes it's a very small pill, easy to take! Sorry I don't know the difference between pantoprazole and omeprazole. Good luck @markymarkfl!
I had a total pancreatectomy, but have been on Protonix since surgery, in tablet form. I remember asking the NP at Mayo why Pantoprazole over Omeprazole, and she just said they prefer it and find it more effective for PC patients. I don't like PPIs longterm, but definitely need it for symptom control of my positional reflux as a result of surgery.
During my robotic Whipple procedure in October 2023, my gall bladder, head of my pancreas, portion of my bile duct and portion of duodenum were removed. I was prescribed 40 mg of pantoprazole daily. Tablet form. A DO that I saw for an unrelated injury back in October 2024 asked why I was taking pantoprazole and advised that I could probably stop taking it. I did. When I met with my oncologist, she told me it was prescribed to prevent stomach ulcers and that I needed to take it forever. My advice, listen to your oncologist!! The tablet is small, easy to digest and so far, no side effects. Pantoprazole and Creon are the only medications I take, so I’m not going to complain. I don’t like taking medication, but it is what it is.
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I had my duodenum and pylorus removed in my Whipple. My pantoprazole is tablet form. It appears to coated and fairly small so no trouble taking them. They go down so quick that i don't have a chance to see if there is a taste.
With my insurance the pantoprazole is a free perscription.
Hope that helps.