1. < Pancreatic Cancer

Whipple surgery and Omeprazole

Posted by ch1co2 @ch1co2, Jan 14 11:13pm

Had a whipple surgery in November of 2023. Was prescribed 20mg of Omeprazole and told to take two capsules in morning basically forever. Curious if all whipple patients do this or if there was something specific to my situation?

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ashley2235 | @ashley2235 | Jan 15 5:50am

I had a total pancreatectomy and have been on Pantoprazole (same class of medication as Omeprazole) since surgery. Was told I would be on it forever as well.

REPLY
dalegantous | @dalegantous | Jan 15 7:01am

Same here, pantoprazole forever. It's to avoid ulcers since the stomach now empties straight into the small intestine, no duodenum (if I have that right).

REPLY
1 reply
whipple2232 | @whipple2232 | Jan 15 9:36am
In reply to @dalegantous "Same here, pantoprazole forever. It's to avoid ulcers since the stomach now empties straight into the..." + (show)
@dalegantous

Same here, pantoprazole forever. It's to avoid ulcers since the stomach now empties straight into the small intestine, no duodenum (if I have that right).

Jump to this post

You are correct, Dalegantous. I had Whipple surgery in October 2023 and was prescribed 40 mg of Pantoprazole to take daily forever. I stopped taking it a few months ago because I thought it was prescribed to avoid acid reflux, which I don’t suffer from. When I met with my oncologist last month, she informed me it is prescribed to prevent stomach ulcers. This was news to me. I’m back on it now.

REPLY
ben3 | @ben3 | Jan 15 5:31pm

Had a Whipple in March 2022. Same thing PANTOPRAZOLE 40mg for ever.
Different drug same purpose.

REPLY
markymarkfl | @markymarkfl | Jan 18 2:46pm

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!

REPLY
4 replies
ben3 | @ben3 | Jan 18 5:10pm
In reply to @markymarkfl "Interesting and educational thread for me! For those of you on pantoprazole: 1) Are you taking..." + (show)
@markymarkfl

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!

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
dalegantous | @dalegantous | Jan 19 7:43am
In reply to @markymarkfl "Interesting and educational thread for me! For those of you on pantoprazole: 1) Are you taking..." + (show)
@markymarkfl

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!

Jump to this post

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!

REPLY
ashley2235 | @ashley2235 | Jan 19 7:49am
In reply to @markymarkfl "Interesting and educational thread for me! For those of you on pantoprazole: 1) Are you taking..." + (show)
@markymarkfl

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!

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
whipple2232 | @whipple2232 | Jan 19 10:43am
In reply to @markymarkfl "Interesting and educational thread for me! For those of you on pantoprazole: 1) Are you taking..." + (show)
@markymarkfl

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!

Jump to this post

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.

REPLY
stageivsurvivor | @stageivsurvivor | Jan 20 9:24am

After my Whipple in 2012, my surgeon prescribed omeprazole and wanted me to take it for one year. Stomach acid, GERD, etc were never issues for me. He explained it was to prevent issues with healing and lacerations where the anastomose was created between the bottom of the stomach and the intestine. After the year, I came off it in June 2013 and never had issues.

REPLY
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