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Is it harmful to take Omeprazole 20mg for 5years ??

By Anonymous April 11, 2016 - 4:05am
 
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Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER. Thank you for reaching out to our community with your question about omeprazole use.

Omeprazole belongs to group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

It is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid. It is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis, which is damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid.

Omeprazole may also be given together with antibiotics to treat gastric ulcer caused by infection with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

It is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Anonymous, which of the above mentioned conditions do you suffer with? Have you been taking omeprazole for five years? Have you noticed any relief?

How old are you? Taking a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole may increase your risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. This effect has occurred mostly in people who have taken the medication long term or at high doses, and in those who are age 50 and older. It is not clear whether omeprazole is the actual cause of an increased risk of fracture.

If you use omeprazole for longer than 3 years, you could develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Has your physician checked this or discussed this with you?

The usual adult dose of omeprazole for treatment of a duodenal ulcer is 20 mg orally once a day before a meal. Most patients heal within 4 to 8 weeks.

The usual adult dose for the treatment of a gastric ulcer is 40 mg orally once a day before a meal for 4 to 8 weeks.

Anonymous, a person are being treated for GERD, will initially take 20 mg orally once a day before a meal for 4 to 8 weeks. This dosage may be increased to 40 mg per day if needed.

Maintenance: long-term treatment with doses of 10 to 20 mg per day may be required for maintenance therapy of refractory disease and appears to be safe.

I do hope this information is helpful to you.

Regards,
Maryann

April 11, 2016 - 8:22am
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