Thanks for your attention.
What is the downside of long term use (years) of omeprazole?
Question posted by bubbbles on 25 Feb 2013
Last updated on 25 February 2013
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Answers
suzanne66
25 Feb 2013
Long term use may increase the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine.
Low magnesium levels have also been associated with long term use and levels should be tested periodically.
It is important to use the lowest doses and shortest duration of treatment necessary for the condition being treated.
AquariusAnneCA
25 Feb 2013
Hi Suzanne66, I totally and 100% agree with you on your comment. I have blood tests fairly often and the last was October and never show a magnesium problem or potassium but I did show Vitamin D which was unusual... you do remind me though that 2 years ago before I went off the Omeprazole, my blood tests were showing Anemia! That was normal after I stopped the Omeprazole. Why do doctors keep people on this medication when they must know how damaging it can be? I never had such horrible heartburn until I tried to get off of it... it is subsiding now so that I can take the Zantac but I must watch what I eat or even how I bend to pick up something... I also have a hiatal hernia. Thanks for your comment and hope we both have helped on the original question.
AquariusAnneCA
AquariusAnneCA
25 Feb 2013
Long term use for me was shortness of breath, pain in joints, gurgling in throat, nausea and coughing every morning, sinus infections, urinary tract infections and a "hiccuping" affect... rushed to hospital with breathing problem and CT Scan showed lungs were like shattered glass... I stopped the omeprazole and all of the above problems stopped! No more infections at all! But I am taking a zantac#150mg each day and the heartburn is so bad. So I take an omeprazole every so often and of course it helps tremendously but I immediately get the shortness of breath and my sinus' start on me... there are no anwers for a remedy except the outpatient procedure to have the muscle corrected and I am not ready to take myself there yet. But almost! This is all from long term use which I thought was only 8 years but I found it is more like 12 years I had been on omeprazole.
AquariusAnneCa
Related topics
Further information
- Omeprazole uses and safety info
- Omeprazole prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Omeprazole (detailed)
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