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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can One Switch From Omeprazole To Pepcid For GERD, And Are Omeprazole Side Effects Worse Than Pepcid Side Effects?

Hi, my mother has GERD. If she does not take the Omeprazol for 7-8 days she starts to feel worse, the symtoms of reflux. How can she switch from Omeprazol to Pepcid and how do you determine the degree of Gerd she has. Will the degree a,b,c or d effect how to get off Omeprazol and start with Pepcid and how do you get off of Omeprazol in, days or weeks? She wants to do so becuase off the bad side effects that comes with Omeprazol. Is it true that Omeprazol is worse when it comes to side effects than Pepcid. Kind Regards
posted on Tue, 1 Aug 2023
Twitter Thu, 16 Jan 2025 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 3 Feb 2025 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,

Get your mother clinically examined by her treating doctor. The treating doctor may recommend a tapering schedule or adjust your mother's medications based on her GERD severity. She may have to go through a few tests like endoscopy, ph monitoring, or esophageal manometry to determine the degree of GERD. Pepcid is comparatively safer for elderly patients, with fewer long-term risks.

However, long-term use may cause mild issues like headache, constipation, or dizziness, cognitive changes. Omeprazole is more effective for severe GERD but it is associated with long-term risks, especially in older adults, like vitamin B12 deficiency, reduced calcium absorption, kidney issues, risk of infections, etc.

Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician
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How Can One Switch From Omeprazole To Pepcid For GERD, And Are Omeprazole Side Effects Worse Than Pepcid Side Effects?

Hello, Get your mother clinically examined by her treating doctor. The treating doctor may recommend a tapering schedule or adjust your mother s medications based on her GERD severity. She may have to go through a few tests like endoscopy, ph monitoring, or esophageal manometry to determine the degree of GERD. Pepcid is comparatively safer for elderly patients, with fewer long-term risks. However, long-term use may cause mild issues like headache, constipation, or dizziness, cognitive changes. Omeprazole is more effective for severe GERD but it is associated with long-term risks, especially in older adults, like vitamin B12 deficiency, reduced calcium absorption, kidney issues, risk of infections, etc. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Nupur K, General & Family Physician