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Can Omeprazole Be Taken For A Long Duration?

Posted on Thu, 23 Feb 2017

Question: I take 2mg omeprazole daily for reflux. It looks like it will be forever. I'm 75, in excellent condition, no operations but a hip replacement coming up ( been running since age 14) . BP good, pulse 50. I am concerned about effects of long-term use of omeprazole. How about otc Prilosec? Thanks for your help: XXXXXXX XXXX

Answered by Dr. Rudina Balliu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This drug is the safest one

Detailed Answer:
Hello ! Thank you for asking HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your question and I understand your concern.

You mean 20mg/daily, right ?

PPI drugs ( Omeprazole ) are one of the most safest classes of medication and it's very important to use in your condition especially if you take painkillers ( Ibuprofen, naproxen or something else).

There are some long term side effect reported but does not mean that you will have these .The drug can alter the absorption of vitamins , minerals , osteoporosis risk.

Omeprazole and Prilosec OTC is the same medication ( you use Prilosec OTC 20mg for 14 days ), but if you still have heartburn you need to take the drug more than 14 days .

If I were your treating doctor I would advice you to take Omeprazole for 4-8 weeks and stop it and try to follow a healthy lifestyle ( no alcohol , no cafeine , no fried/ high fatty food , eat small meals several times), if you don't feel better you can start again the same medication or H2 blocker drug (eg. Ranitidine )

Hope I have answered your question.
Let me know if you have any further clarifications., I will be happy to help.
Take Care!
Dr Balliu .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Rudina Balliu (23 hours later)

Thank you for the quick response. I am concerned about the side effects: osteoporosis, loss of the effects of the many vitamins and supplements I take, etc. I have been taking 2mg daily of omeprazole for over four years and have no obvious side effects, work out in a gym (also work there), am 6 feet, 160 pounds, and a former career runner. I am just trying to prevent slowing down too fast; not hyper but energetic, and my wife is type 1 diabetic, so I want to be around and healthy for her. I have no pain except for arthritis and take no pain meds, never smoked, quit drinking over twenty years ago. Just this week two people said they thought I was 62, not 75. Not a worry-wart, just being cautious here. Thanks for any additional input you can provide. XXXXXXX XXXX

Answered by Dr. Rudina Balliu (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Sorry to my late response.
Well you have a healthy lifestyle , you weight ( BMI) is normal , don't drink , no smoking, and you were a runner( it's important to keep walking every day )
The side effect does not mean that will happen in the future especially when you are taking supplements.

The elements that Omeprazol may interfere :

-Vitamine b12,vitamins C, iron, calcium.
Take these supplements and try to consume food that contains these elements .

Our body can reserve vit b12 for a long time , ( not taking vit b12 for 4 weeks does not mean that you will have anemia;,cause our body will use the reserved part during this time you take the drug.)

I still suggest that you can take omeprazol during a period of time (maximum 4 weeks)and then stop if you don't have reflux ( heartburn ) after stoping for some time you can start it again ( In this way when you take suplememts the drug is not in the system to interfere.)
-Take supplements not in the same time with esomeprazol.
- You can switch Omeprazol to Ranitidine .
-You can ask your local doctor to check iron level,calcium levels,but b12 whenever you want to see if omeprazol affect the levels.

Take Care !

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad