Side effects with omeprazole/Prilosec use

I have had the same concerns about many of you - issues with my pancreas and concerns about B12 and magnesium levels and concerns about taking this medication for such an extended period of time. I have been taking omeprazole or a similar medication for at least 20 years. I was on 40 mg a day. a couple of years ago I expressed concern about the medication to my GI doctor. He did not think there was any issue with taking it but I asked him to change my medication to 20 mg two times a day so I could try to reduce the amount I was taking. I was able to go to 20 mg a day. I have still had concerns about taking this medicine and I appreciate the information many of you have shared that helped me decide to go off the medication completely. I stopped taking the omeprazole on April 1. I have seen it is probably better to try to wean off it but I was determined. The first two weeks were terrible and I still today have a lot of GERD symptions including reflux and stomach issues. However, I am determined to not go back on the medication. I have been using antacids, mylanta and occasionally baking soda in water. I am being very careful about what I eat and how much and when. I believe smaller meals more often is helping and I am staying away from spicy foods. Today is April 28. I have read that it could take as much as four months to get to a better place after stopping taking the medicine. I have made a lot of progress but am not where I would like to be yet but I am determined. I will update as I have more information to share. One interesting side effect I have noticed is that I no longer feel bloated as I used to. One interesting thing I found in my research was that omeprazole delays stomach emptying - not something I would have thought would be the case. Thank you for the information you have provided in this forum. Your experiences helped me to decide to take this step. When I visit my GI doctor this year I will discuss what I have done and see if he wants to have tests performed to determine if I am cured.

@natalie712, so glad that the posts have been helpful. Do you have GERD? Are you trying to get off omeprazole?

My osteoporosis is getting worse and I only recently realized the connection with Omeprazole. I’m on a very slow 6 month or however long it takes plan to wean myself off. I’ve been on 20 mg for over 15 years and like others am determined to go off. First I substituted 10 mg. Every third day, then every other day, now I’m at 10 mg. 2 days and 20 the third. Soon I hope to go to 10 mg. Every day. That’s my phase 1, and at the least will have cut my dose in half. Then I will begin the same plan to wean off the 10 mg. To hopefully nothing. I’ve learned a lot from everyone here and really appreciate it.

Welcome to Connect, @natalie712 I am a bit late in joining this discussion, but I too am on Omeprazole and have been for quite a while now, for Barrett's Esophagus. Currently, my Barrett's is in remission so I am wondering if I could get off of Omeprazole. I knew there were long term effects but I am particularly concerned about an osteoporosis connection since I was diagnosed with somewhat advanced osteoporosis in the fall. It was thought that was probably due to my taking prednisone, but I guess that I have two drugs that could be problematic.
What are the effects of stopping omeprazole, and if I switch drugs to a different PPI is that also a problem from what you know? I realize I need to speak to my gastroenterologist about this but he is not one of my more approachable doctors so I want to glean as much info as possible before speaking to him.
JK

I took Omeprazole for 16 years for Barrett's. Developed chronic pancreatitis. Told my GI doc that I wanted to come off of it. Was taking 20mg. in the am. I took 1 every other day for a week , then 1 every 3 days for a week and then stopped. He put me on Zantac and after a month heard it causes cancer, so he put me on Famitodene 20mg. twice a day. Told him that I would like to stop all those meds. and he said ok. Just take one if needed. So, I just take one at night because I find that I get heartburn at night. No need for one during the day. He plans to do an endo in March to see if the Barrett's is still gone.
Good luck...those drugs are toxic, and if you can do without that's a plus, but if you can't, then there is no choice!!

Thanks, @harper7745 It looks as if a call to my least favorite doctor is in order. I am still not sure what the effects are of discontinuing it suddenly though.
JK

I stopped it suddenly and didn't notice anything. I was on 40 mg once a day. I started prilosec 20 mg once a day.

An alternative for these GI meds that does not contribute to osteoporosis is Pepcid. Reducing Omeprazole, which is Prilosec, can be monitored by how you feel and what symptoms, if any arise. We all get so used to these meds so it becomes a habit fearing exacerbation of our symptoms. Yet, a holiday or change in these meds reveals much. Thank you for bringing this important topic to light. I have taken Protonix for my Collagenous Gastritis. I will switch to Pepcid as I have been now diagnosed with Osteoporosis. The research clearly indicates using these meds for more than a year and at higher doses Decrease the body’s ability to absorb Calcium. A urine CA test is very helpful to determine where your CA levels are at. My best...

I started taking licorice root after getting off different PPI. Now I take one 20 min before each meal and it works. If I have to take anything my Dr has given me Zantac as it is back on the market and improved. It’s called Randitian now.

Hello from Montreal.Could you please let me know if you received any replies for how to get off Omeprazole?What have you done so far and is it helping you? Thank you very much for your time .Laura