Can I take omeprazole for lifetime?

You shouldn't take OTC omeprazole for longer than 14 days without a healthcare provider's OK. Prescription omeprazole is often taken for 4 to 8 weeks, depending on what you're treating. For some conditions, it's taken for even longer. Taking omeprazole for too long can lead to serious side effects.


Can you stay on omeprazole for life?

Depending on your condition or the reason you're taking omeprazole, you may only need it for a few weeks or months. Sometimes, you might need to take it for longer, even for many years.

Can you take omeprazole permanently?

Taking omeprazole for more than a year may increase your chances of certain side effects, including: bone fractures. gut infections. vitamin B12 deficiency – symptoms include feeling very tired, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers and pins and needles.


What happens if you take omeprazole everyday?

Bone fractures warning: People who take several doses of a proton pump inhibitor drug, such as omeprazole, every day for a year or longer may have an increased risk of bone fractures. These bone breaks may be more likely to happen in your hip, wrist, or spine. Talk to your doctor about your risk of bone fractures.

What is considered long-term use of omeprazole?

In a clinical context, use of PPI for more than 8 weeks could be a reasonable definition of long-term use in patients with reflux symptoms and more than 4 weeks in patients with dyspepsia or peptic ulcer.


Doctor explains how to take OMEPRAZOLE (Losec/Prilosec), including uses, doses, side effects & more!



What is the safest antacid to take long term?

According to Dr. Ghouri, Prilosec OTC “is usually sufficient in controlling symptoms in a majority of [heartburn] cases” and has been the #1 Doctor Recommended frequent heartburn relief medicine for 14 years.

How do I get off omeprazole?

Slowly taper off the PPI over 2-4 weeks (the higher the dose, the longer the taper). While the taper is being completed, use the following for bridge therapy to reduce the symptoms of rebound hyperacidity. Encourage regular aerobic exercise. Encourage a relaxation technique such as deep breathing.

Why should I stop taking omeprazole?

Avoid long-term use of omeprazole

If you don't need them, omeprazole should not be taken long term, because of the possible side effects. There may be a small increased risk of bone fractures, chest infection, gut infection and nutrient deficiencies such as low magnesium and vitamin B12.


What happens if you stop taking omeprazole suddenly?

People who take proton pump inhibitors (PPI) such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) or omeprazole (Prilosec) may experience rebound hyperacidity if they stop their drug abruptly (Gastroenterology, July, 2009). Symptoms of reflux can last for weeks.

What foods to avoid while taking omeprazole?

Food Tips when taking Omeprazole:

Greasy or fatty foods like french fries, pizza, deep fried chicken slow the digestive system down and often causes indigestion, heartburn and nausea. Onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee, peppermint and some spices can also cause an increase in gastric symptoms.

Can you take omeprazole for 20 years?

You shouldn't take OTC omeprazole for longer than 14 days without a healthcare provider's OK. Prescription omeprazole is often taken for 4 to 8 weeks, depending on what you're treating. For some conditions, it's taken for even longer. Taking omeprazole for too long can lead to serious side effects.


Can long term use of omeprazole cause stomach problems?

Medications like omeprazole can raise the risk of developing stomach polyps or cancer. This is especially true if you take them for longer than a year. Let your healthcare provider know if you have stomach pain that won't go away while taking omeprazole.

Does omeprazole make you gain weight?

PPIs have been reported to cause weight gain. That being said, weight gain isn't a common side effect. It also seems to be more likely when you take PPIs long term. One study found that long-term use of omeprazole, rabeprazole, or lansoprazole was associated with weight gain.

What is the longest you should take omeprazole?

Your doctor may want you to take omeprazole for more than 8 weeks for certain conditions. Children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 5 to 20 mg once a day before a meal.


Can I take PPIs for the rest of my life?

The normal duration for treatment is from two to 12 weeks. In some circumstances, a PPI needs to be continued indefinitely, such as when an ulcer doesn't heal, when an older patient has an ulcer that's larger than 2 centimeters, or when a patient has three or more ulcers per year.

What can you take everyday for acid reflux?

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
  • Prevacid 24HR (lansoprazole)
  • Nexium 24HR (esomeprazole)
  • Prilosec OTC (omeprazole magnesium)
  • Zegerid OTC (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)


Can I quit omeprazole cold turkey?

Taper your PPI gradually

Many people's first instinct is to slowly cut back on their PPI rather than stopping cold turkey. But one study looked into this and found no difference between these strategies. People who gradually cut back over 3 weeks had just as many side effects as people who stopped suddenly.


What happens if you quit omeprazole cold turkey?

Stopping PPI treatment can cause rebound acid hypersecretion, leading to the transient appearance of symptoms such as indigestion, heartburn or regurgitation.

How do I wean off omeprazole 20 mg a day?

Taper down the dose. For example, if someone is on 20 mg of omeprazole twice daily, I will reduce the dose to 20 mg a day for 10 days and then 20 mg every other day for 10 days before stopping. Address emotional stress.

Can omeprazole cause anxiety?

Omeprazole (OM) is one of the most prescribed drugs worldwide for the treatment of hyperacidity and gastric reflux. However, concerns regarding its safety have emerged recently, and the drug is reported to enhance the risk for anxiety and cognitive deficits, particularly in elderly patients.


Can I take omeprazole every other day?

Conclusion: Alternate-day, long-term treatment with omeprazole may be adequate to maintain remission in patients with reflux esophagitis. This regimen can assure serum gastrin levels within the normal range, thus reducing the potential risk of prolonged, sustained hypergastrinemia and profound hypochlorhydria.

Is omeprazole a high risk medication?

Long-term omeprazole may be linked to heart problems

There's some research linking long-term PPI use to a greater risk of heart attacks. For example, one review of almost 3 million people with GERD found that long-term PPI use may lead to a greater risk of heart attack.

How long does it take to recover from omeprazole?

You should start to feel better within 2 to 3 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks for omeprazole to work fully. You may still have some acid symptoms during this time. If you treated yourself with omeprazole that you bought from a pharmacy and your symptoms are no better after 2 weeks, tell your doctor.


Can omeprazole affect the kidneys?

In recent years, the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), especially omeprazole, has been associated with development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). These drugs are widely used worldwide. Although some studies have found an association between the use of PPI and the onset of acute renal failure and CKD.

How do you permanently treat GERD naturally?

View Protect yourself from the damage of chronic inflammation.
  1. Eat sparingly and slowly. ...
  2. Avoid certain foods. ...
  3. Don't drink carbonated beverages. ...
  4. Stay up after eating. ...
  5. Don't move too fast. ...
  6. Sleep on an incline. ...
  7. Lose weight if it's advised. ...
  8. If you smoke, quit.