Suggest Treatment For Severe Acid Reflux And Cough While On Prilosec

Posted on Sat, 5 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 5 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am taking prilosec and have been told by my doctor to take it long term due to a lingering cough which he believes is caused by acid reflux. The drug's packaging says to take it no longer than 14 days. I have been taking it for about 2 months without known side effects. Why these contradictions, and is there a reason not to take it long term?

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (51 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
it may have to be taken for long

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

there is no strict limit in treatment duration. A disorder like acid reflux may last forever. Although we prefer to control it with lifestyle changes, this is not possible in many cases. When necessary these drugs can be taken for longer. They are indeed associated with a long list of potential side effects. I'll pick some from the list.

It may increase the risk for hip fracture, it may impair calcium metabolism, it may predispose susceptible individuals to arrhythmias. Other side effects may include taste disturbances, diarrhea or constipation, headache, etc.
Lately it has been associated (not adequately documented though) with dementia.

The bottomline is that we prescribe this drug to patients that need it... If you can't control the acidity otherwise then you should protect the esophagus.

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar