Omeprazole how to come off it after long term use.

After I was diagnosed with a hiatus hernia the consultant advised me to stop taking the omeprazole that had been prescribed by my GP. He suggested I use Gaviscon Advance instead. I was able to get it on prescription.

I now only need to take it occasionally because I have changed my diet, I eat smaller meals and never allow my stomach to get too empty, because that’s when I’m likely to experience acid reflux.

Having read the possible side effects of long-term use of omeprazole I’m really glad that I stopped taking it when I did.

Lovetopaint037 My husband has recently been prescribed Omeprazole because he takes low dose aspirin daily

A spoonful of Gaviscon Advance last thing at night is a game changer. Don’t have anything to eat or drink after you’ve taken it - and make sure it’s the ‘Advance’ one (it’s stronger than the regular).

Famotidine works in a different way to Omeprazole and has a shorter lasting effect, but might be helpful if trying to reduce the Omeprazole. Gaviscon and even Rennies, neutralise the stomach acid and reduce the pain.

I've suffered from acid reflux for years - gastroscopy showed I have a hiatus hernia. I was prescribed Lanzoprazole- similar to omeprazole- but it gave me bad diarrhoea. In consultation with GP, I control my symptoms with Rennies, gaviscon tablets and an occasional famotidine (not taken all together!) . Some foods definitely make it worse - bread and pastry are the worst culprits.

I was prescribed Omeprazole for a small hiatus hernia and acid reflux several years ago but after several months weaned myself off as I didn't like what I heard re side effects and so many people are given it for years without question.I cut back on caffeine,ate lots of fresh food ,ate my main meal earlier and used Gaviscon Advance initially.I use it only occasionally now after a later or particularly rich meal ans seem to be fine.Good luck coming off it.

That is a bit extreme MissAdventure. There are plenty of OTE medications available in pharmacies, who would not stock them if they were not safe and approved.

Too many medications are just prescribed and continued with monthly prscriptions withutever it being considered whether these are still the best medications, or even if they are all necessary. many, if not all, medications have side effects some more serious than others.

I do think we should ahve regular, say annual, medication checks.

I don't understand wanting to stop a tried and tested (presumably) medication, and swapping it for something that any old company can be selling, with no idea how it's produced and where, and how sterile the premises is.

I was prescribed Omeprazole for reflux caused by a hiatus hernia, swiftly taken off it because my sodium dropped and prescribed Famotidine, different family of drugs. I also take Gaviscon advance at bedtime.

Please speak to your doctor about Omeprazole, and whether an alternative is needed.

Iron is an essential mineral that needs an acid environment for it to be absorbed and, as Omeprazole reduces the acid in your stomach, it can lead to iron-deficiency anaemia, long-term.

I stopped taking it for that reason (among others).

Gaviscon is a help, but what I ended up having to do was drastically change my diet - certain foods, like tomatoes (for me) are a non-no. And anything with mint, or a high-sugar content.

It's a work still in progress.

Thank you bohemian. I tried alternate days but was in agon. I didn’t have Gaviscon but now thinking this might be a real help. Bohemian I totally agree about not staying on long term medication without questioning. This last year I gradually came off, with the help of the doctor, beta blockers I had been on for years. My ecg showed a first stage heart block and the doctor doctor thought the beta blockers had caused it. The doctor was mystified as to why I had been put on them years ago. Yet nothing had been said before this so I would definitely ask questions. My father used to refuse all medication which used to worry the family but now I think he knew a thing or two. I never had any symptoms that warranted my going on Omeprazole . I take an aspirin every day and depended on my oats and yoghurt to protect my stomach. However, I received a phone call from the surgery one day asking me if I would be willing to take them to protect my stomach. I think it was a pharmacist going through medications and not a doctor. In ignorance I agreed to go on them. They were prescribed on a repeat prescription. Been having them for ? years.

Very few doctors test to see if you’re not producing enough acid.
The symptoms can be the same.

Omeprazol can affect your B12 absorption.
Another money maker from big pharma.

A very timely question. I've been on Omoprozol 20mg for ? years for acid reflux and today picked up yet another prescription for them.

Some time ago I ran out and went without them for a week, with no effects, but I have strong Gaviscon as a standby. I'm getting wary of all the medications I've been on for years, including statins and as I have my annual 'MOT' coming up soon, I plan to ask the practice nurse what I can and can't do without, I think it'll be an eye opener...

Thank you for bothering to answer. A year ago I tried taking my 20g a day every other day. I was in agony. Had to go back on them. Now will have to ask the doctor what she can prescribe to help. The idea of Gaviscon is helpful so will find out about it. Thank you.

A sore stomach is very painful ExDancer, and that is what you get if you take NSAIDs or have gastritis without anything to suppress the acid production.
I’m interested too to see if anybody has tried any alternatives that have worked for them.

Hi, I’ve been on omoprozol 10mg for few years. I’ve been looking into natural alternatives as like you concerned over long term use. I’ve found slippery elm as it’s supposed to coat the stomach. Not tried it yet but might be worth looking into as an alternative .

I'm confused, I thought omeprazole was to protect the stomach from the effects of NSAIDs and the like. Not an addictive pain killer.

Can you try missing one dose and see how you get on? If you can manage with gaviscon for a day then go back to the omeprazole the next day and keep reducing it day by day or at least be taking less maybe just twice a week.
You could ask your doctor about reducing it if this doesn't work.