1. < Digestive Health
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Side effects with omeprazole/Prilosec use

Posted by blueorca @blueorca, May 5, 2018

i am an 18-year user of daily OTC Prilosec. It does a perfect job of controlling my GERD but I am constantly battling side effects of nutritional deficiencies in iron, B-12, magnesium, etc. For example, my hair is extremely thin and loss of energy is a constant problem. I am looking for specific help in knowing which supplements to take for this and in what doses and formats and on what schedule. All the nutritionists I've found locally are not well-versed in Prilosec use. Is there a medical provider out there who specializes in this? And would they be willing to work with me long distance?

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Father of sticky rice | @fatherofstickyrice | Jul 24, 2025
In reply to @lamd "Hi, I was diagnosed with esophagitis / silent gerd and put on pantoprazole for a few..." + (show)
Profile picture for lamd @lamd

Hi, I was diagnosed with esophagitis / silent gerd and put on pantoprazole for a few months. When I tried to stop the pantoprazole I had severe heartburn. (I never actually had heartburn before I started the PPI). After ~1 month of torture, I went back on the PPI, but to a half dose. I took half dose for about a month and then alternated that with famotidine until I switched, then started weaning off famotidine. My real question for this group is…is it worse to be on a PPI daily long term or to be on famotidine daily long term or are they equally bad for both osteoporosis and dementia? Does anyone have any insight on this? Thanks

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Famotidine (H2 blocker) does not inhibit calcium absorption as Omeprazole (PPI) does.

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Jul 24, 2025
In reply to @lamd "Hi, I was diagnosed with esophagitis / silent gerd and put on pantoprazole for a few..." + (show)
Profile picture for lamd @lamd

Hi, I was diagnosed with esophagitis / silent gerd and put on pantoprazole for a few months. When I tried to stop the pantoprazole I had severe heartburn. (I never actually had heartburn before I started the PPI). After ~1 month of torture, I went back on the PPI, but to a half dose. I took half dose for about a month and then alternated that with famotidine until I switched, then started weaning off famotidine. My real question for this group is…is it worse to be on a PPI daily long term or to be on famotidine daily long term or are they equally bad for both osteoporosis and dementia? Does anyone have any insight on this? Thanks

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My gastroenterologist had me go through a protocol to quit Omeprazole. With that ppi, she did not recommend quitting cold turkey.

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jmedj55 | @jmedj55 | Jul 27, 2025
In reply to @mrsbeard26 "I’ve been on Prevacid my entire adult life. 27 years. Slowly transitioning off. I’m scared." + (show)
Profile picture for mrsbeard26 @mrsbeard26

I’ve been on Prevacid my entire adult life. 27 years. Slowly transitioning off. I’m scared.

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You’ve been on a ppi medicine for 27 years ? I hope you can wean off it successfully. You apparently have GERD or reflux ? That is what I have along with swollen esophagus and I started Prilosec in May though it worries me as to the side effects

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bkatz43 | @bkatz43 | Jul 28, 2025
In reply to @fatherofstickyrice "10 years ago or so, I had severe symptoms of having food stuck in my esophagus..." + (show)
Profile picture for Father of sticky rice @fatherofstickyrice

10 years ago or so, I had severe symptoms of having food stuck in my esophagus and not being able to swallow or bring food back up. This put me in the hospital a few times until an endoscopy diagnosed me with a schatzki ring. My gastroenterologist nipped it in one or two places and prescribed omeprazole 20 mg once per day. This worked fine for years. My current primary care physician wants me to come off of this proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and use an H2 blocker instead. I agree. I tried about a 10-day transition alternating between the two medications and then went to the H2 blocker (Famotidine) for 3 months with no omeprazole. I had swallowing difficulty symptoms almost every meal. They were mild to severe ( inability to swallow or bring food back up for 20 minutes with a production of fluid [saliva?] which required spitting and some small amounts of food coming up). So, I went back on Omeprazole about a month ago. Now I have obtained a prescription both. I would like to try to wean myself off of the PPI and onto an H2 blocker again. Here is my plan:● Alternate omeprazole 20 mg /day early am with famotidine 20 mg before breakfast and dinner for 14 days. Then alternate with PPI every 3rd day for 14 days. Then alternate with PPI every 4th day for 14 days.Does anyone have any experience with this transition? Any suggestions.

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The pit of my stomach hurts so bad and I know it's GERD. I decided to buy a new bottle of Pepcid AC and take for 14 days. Stuff works all right. However, after day 2 and continuing to be extra bloated due to constipation, I stopped. I really want to take it but, as usual, the side effects match the problem.

Any thoughts?

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nsainato | @nsainato | Sep 23, 2025

Recent scope showed erosion of the stomach lining. The Dr. prescribed Omeprazole 40mg. I have no symtom besides after eating I start to belch. The medical term for this condition in my chart read:
"Mild chronic inactive gastiritis with focal reactive change." Since this is an old inactive problem meaning there is no inflamation or ulceratin at this time, why take Omeprazole with tans of side effects?
I try to stay away from medications, unless they are absolutly necessary.

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1 reply
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luvnursing52 | @luvnursing52 | Sep 24, 2025

Having had 2 fundoplications (which aren't working very well any longer) I went back on Prilosec temporarily for persistent reflux. I stopped taking it because I felt I wasn't digesting my food properly. I may have Vagal nerve damage from the surgeries, so I'm having a gastric emptying study in a couple of weeks.
I really try to avoid any PPI's since I have osteoporosis. I don't think Prilosec was ever meant to be taken daily long term, or any PPI for that matter, because of side effects. Pepcid and other H2 blockers don't work well at all. So I try to manage with diet mostly. I take Tums once in a while if needed.
I'm glad I have a medical background to try to navigate this journey of aging. (50 yr. retired RN)

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2 replies
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Mentor
Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @nsainato "Recent scope showed erosion of the stomach lining. The Dr. prescribed Omeprazole 40mg. I have no..." + (show)
Profile picture for nsainato @nsainato

Recent scope showed erosion of the stomach lining. The Dr. prescribed Omeprazole 40mg. I have no symtom besides after eating I start to belch. The medical term for this condition in my chart read:
"Mild chronic inactive gastiritis with focal reactive change." Since this is an old inactive problem meaning there is no inflamation or ulceratin at this time, why take Omeprazole with tans of side effects?
I try to stay away from medications, unless they are absolutly necessary.

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Hi @nsainato. Good news to have mild findings on your recent scope!

I recently had a scope and prescribed PPIs so I am having similar concerns. Part of my report says, “reactive foveolar hyperplasia”. My understanding is they help to reduce stomach acid to reduce symptoms and support further healing, and provide diagnostic information towards identifying what has caused problems.

Did your doctor say how long you should take Omeprazole, maybe rechecking how you are doing in a few weeks or discontinuing? What led to getting your scope in the first place?

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1 reply
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nsainato | @nsainato | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @jlharsh "Hi @nsainato. Good news to have mild findings on your recent scope! I recently had a..." + (show)
Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

Hi @nsainato. Good news to have mild findings on your recent scope!

I recently had a scope and prescribed PPIs so I am having similar concerns. Part of my report says, “reactive foveolar hyperplasia”. My understanding is they help to reduce stomach acid to reduce symptoms and support further healing, and provide diagnostic information towards identifying what has caused problems.

Did your doctor say how long you should take Omeprazole, maybe rechecking how you are doing in a few weeks or discontinuing? What led to getting your scope in the first place?

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The scope was ordered due to a choking incident. I had no problems with
digestion. Currently I am not taking Omeprazole, I have an appointment
coming up October 13, I have a lot of questions before I take this
medication, it gives me severe eye dryness. The medication was
prescribed without having an office visit along with the pepcid that I am
taking. Beside the eye dryness I also started having slight pains in my
stomach. That is why I am waiting for the appointment. Thanks for
responding.
Nadia

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1 reply
Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @nsainato "The scope was ordered due to a choking incident. I had no problems with digestion. Currently..." + (show)
Profile picture for nsainato @nsainato

The scope was ordered due to a choking incident. I had no problems with
digestion. Currently I am not taking Omeprazole, I have an appointment
coming up October 13, I have a lot of questions before I take this
medication, it gives me severe eye dryness. The medication was
prescribed without having an office visit along with the pepcid that I am
taking. Beside the eye dryness I also started having slight pains in my
stomach. That is why I am waiting for the appointment. Thanks for
responding.
Nadia

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@nsainato Ah, I agree it is a good call to learn more. I am interested to know what your doctor tells you at your October 13 appointment. I hope you come back here and post an update.

You mention Omeprazole giving you dry eyes. Have you taken it before?

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2 replies
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nsainato | @nsainato | Sep 24, 2025
In reply to @jlharsh "@nsainato Ah, I agree it is a good call to learn more. I am interested to..." + (show)
Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

@nsainato Ah, I agree it is a good call to learn more. I am interested to know what your doctor tells you at your October 13 appointment. I hope you come back here and post an update.

You mention Omeprazole giving you dry eyes. Have you taken it before?

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@jlharsh
Since 1993 I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux and they put me on Pepcid 2x day. This year after the choking incident I thought they will find something wrong with the esophagus but instead "mild chronic inactive gastritis with focal reactive change." Acording to AI focal reactive change refers to mild long standing inflammation of the stomach lining, that is currently inactive. I will definetly tell you everything after my Dr. visit on Oct 13. Right now I am carefully watching what I eat. Take care.
Nadia

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