topic Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec? in Wellness

Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Mindy D — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:33:49 GMT

Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec (not at the same time)? What was your experience?

Were you on Prilosec OTC first and then switched when you visited a specialist?

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Pearlee — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:46:08 GMT

@Mindy D I only have prescription. I don't know why you are asking but I think my prescription dose is 2X the strength of OTC and also my prescription med under my particular prescription drug plan is FREE, so I wouldn't want OTC which I'd have to pay for.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Kachina624 — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:55:03 GMT

@Mindy D Before you take a PPI, do a lot of research. I took Prilosec for at least 20 years and it has seriously affected my kidney function. It has other side-effects too. The specialist to whom I was referred said to absolutely stay off of it. I've found that an acid reducer (Pepcid) is almost as effective and a lot less dangerous. I think the label on OTC Prilosec says it's for short-term use.

My prescription dose was exactly the same as OTC. I think they all are, but the prescription was cheaper with insurance.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Xivambala — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 15:58:04 GMT

Only the generic version of OTC Prilosec, Omeprazole, that was recommended by my physician. It took a few rounds to knock out the heartburn problems I was having.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Mindy D — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:19:53 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Mindy D Before you take a PPI, do a lot of research. I took Prilosec for at least 20 years and it has seriously affected my kidney function. It has other side-effects too. The specialist to whom I was referred said to absolutely stay off of it. I've found that an acid reducer (Pepcid) is almost as effective and a lot less dangerous. I think the label on OTC Prilosec says it's for short-term use.

My prescription dose was exactly the same as OTC. I think they all are, but the prescription was cheaper with insurance.

@Kachina624 @I'm not asking for myself. A relative's primary doc has him on the OTC for two courses of 14 days each but he might be going to a gastroenterologist and then the specialist could switch him to the RX version. He might not be able to be switched though, because the primary care doctor had him on the OTC and taking Prilosec for an extended period might not be advised. He's wondering how this use of the OTC could affect RX prescribing. We are aware of the kidney damage issue as well as all the other side effects that have been studied. He'll probably need endoscopy. This could be stemming from erosion or ulcer from aspirin use. It's not going to be used as an acid reducer in the same way as your use was. I'm very sorry that you have the kidney issue from Prilosec and I'm grateful to you for letting me know. I'm still apprehensive about the Prilosec, even for the term use for ulcer treatment, but it does heal duodenal and peptic ulcers.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Mindy D — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:21:46 GMT

@Xivambala wrote:
Only the generic version of OTC Prilosec, Omeprazole, that was recommended by my physician. It took a few rounds to knock out the heartburn problems I was having.

@Xivambala @Were the rounds separated by time intervals, or did you take them back to back? Did you take more than two rounds?

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Pearlee — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:25:51 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Mindy D Before you take a PPI, do a lot of research. I took Prilosec for at least 20 years and it has seriously affected my kidney function. It has other side-effects too. The specialist to whom I was referred said to absolutely stay off of it. I've found that an acid reducer (Pepcid) is almost as effective and a lot less dangerous. I think the label on OTC Prilosec says it's for short-term use.

My prescription dose was exactly the same as OTC. I think they all are, but the prescription was cheaper with insurance.

@Kachina624 NO the prescription doses are NOT all the same as OTC. My prescription is double the OTC dose and the pharmacy told me, when I handed them my prescription, that not all insurance companies will cover that one but fortunately my insurance company does.

@Mindy D I was concerned with kidney damage side effects I'd read about on the 'net and discussed them with my longtime physician. He said that during his 35 yrs of practice none of his patients have had side effects from it. I do only take it short term.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Puppy Lips — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 16:38:17 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
@Xivambala wrote:
Only the generic version of OTC Prilosec, Omeprazole, that was recommended by my physician. It took a few rounds to knock out the heartburn problems I was having.
@Xivambala @Were the rounds separated by time intervals, or did you take them back to back? Did you take more than two rounds?

@Mindy D One of our sons takes Omeprazole. I think he takes it continuously, every day. I worry about that. But his grandmother took the same thing, every day for YEARS. She passed at 94 years old.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

on the bay — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:32:02 GMT

I'm glad this thread was started.

My mother takes omeprazole every day. On reading there are warnings now that this med (prilosec, prevacid, nexium) is causing c-diff diarrhea, bone fractures, kidney problems. The directions say to use temporarily not every day long term.

I think what may happen is a dr may prescribe it and then the pt keeps taking it not realizing it shouldn't be taken every day.

And someone may have been taking it for years and live to an elderly age but is it affecting them? I think it is for my mother and aunt, so I will tell them about this.

Do you all also remember several years ago there were warnings about taking anti-acids like tums too much because of heart problems? Just like too much calcium esp for women can cause the same.

Really, for every everyday things both rx and otc (over the counter) that is out there, we really have to read all about it and not just take for granted that just because drs may freely prescribe or recommend it, it is safe.

New information comes out so often that no dr can keep up with it all.

And sometimes they just keep prescribing the "recommended" things that have been used for years, not really knowing about new warnings or symptoms.

The 2 @Kachina624 , mentioned, pepcid ac (famotodine), or tagamet

(cimetidine) would be safer to use, though tagamet may have more side effects.

And supposedly zantac, another heartburn med ( and any ranitidine drug) was pulled off the shelves in April 2020 by the fda for causing cancer, after being on shelves for 40 years.

Jeez, this all makes my head spin, but I'm not surprised. So many drugs and things out there that are really not good for our health!

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

luvmyteddy4 — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:47:20 GMT

I have taken all of the over the counter drugs for 50 years, started with an ulcer and then gastritis and heartburn.

I switched to Dexilant 60mg about 5 years ago with a script and it has worked the best for me. The others didn't work that well and nexium probably the best of those.

I love the Dexilant.

All of my tests come out good every year from the Dr.

I get mine free from the manufacturer every year.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Tori3569 — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 18:54:14 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec (not at the same time)? What was your experience?
Were you on Prilosec OTC first and then switched when you visited a specialist?

I was prescribed Prilosec by my gastroenterologist after my insurance changed to exclude Nexium because it went OTC. Recently, my prescription coverage changed to not cover any PPIs because they are almost all available OTC.

He started my on prescription strength Pepcid and it did not work at all for me. I had heartburn every day no matter what I ate.

I then started taking the otc Prilosec about a month ago and while I can tell it's not as effective, it is so much better than what had been happening for me.

I get blood tests frequently at my gastroenterologist and no issues.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

depglass — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 20:27:16 GMT

I took OTC for years. Then a new neighbor, who happened to be a pharmacist, told me there is a definite rebound effect with that drug. I weaned myself off and now take an Alka Seltzer for the occasional case of heartburn. I should add I had a very stressful job when my stomach issues started and getting off might have been impossible at that stage in my life.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Xivambala — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 20:59:34 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
@Xivambala wrote:
Only the generic version of OTC Prilosec, Omeprazole, that was recommended by my physician. It took a few rounds to knock out the heartburn problems I was having.
@Xivambala @Were the rounds separated by time intervals, or did you take them back to back? Did you take more than two rounds?

@Mindy D

This happened in 2018 just after I moved to Florida. The stress with the move and retirement at the same time just got to me. Anyway, I noticed the 1st 14-day treatment didn't completely stop the heartburn. I started a 2nd a few days later. I may have had partial of a third. Been too long to remember. I've been fine since.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

HangingTen — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 13:45:00 GMT

I've taken the generic Prilosec OTC, the name brand Prilosec OTC, and prescription Omeprozole. The generic OTC did nothing for me so I eliminated it quickly. The prescription was twice the strength of the OTC but I didn't have any luck with it either. I've settled on the Prilosec OTC and take one pill each morning. When possible, I purchase in bulk at Costco or Sam's. It works great for me. Sometimes in the evening, I supplement it with a Rolaids. My doctor is aware of everything and performs yearly blood testing.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Mindy D — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 19:56:35 GMT

@HangingTen wrote:
I've taken the generic Prilosec OTC, the name brand Prilosec OTC, and prescription Omeprozole. The generic OTC did nothing for me so I eliminated it quickly. The prescription was twice the strength of the OTC but I didn't have any luck with it either. I've settled on the Prilosec OTC and take one pill each morning. When possible, I purchase in bulk at Costco or Sam's. It works great for me. Sometimes in the evening, I supplement it with a Rolaids. My doctor is aware of everything and performs yearly blood testing.

@HangingTen @May I ask what type of condition you take it for?

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

juanitalinda — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 20:03:36 GMT

Interesting thread. Life is so full of trade-offs.

I have taken the OTC Prilosec version for about three years at my gastroenterologists' recommendation. I have severe Barrett's esophogheus and go back for endoscopies every 3 years. So far, so good.

I guess everything is a risk. But, with the Prilosec OTC I can at least sleep all night without having to wake up with heartburn, and with any luck the esophogheus won't

get any worse.

While he did recommend bone density tests, but did not say anything about any additional kidney tests in addition to my annual blood test. I suppose I will ask him when I go in this summer.

Re: Anyone here been on both Prilosec OTC and RX Prilosec?

Susan Louise — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 23:38:49 GMT

I started getting heartburn more frequently as the years passed from about 2006 til DH and I changed our lifestyle in September 2018..

It started as getting heartburn a few times a week after a meal...and no real specific foods either. I don't even care for spicy foods. At 1st, I would just use Pepto-Bismol until that alone wasn't helping.

By about 2007 I went to the Dr and he perscribed me a RX for the heartburn/GERD. By about 2010, I took it upon myself to start taking comparable OTC meds (my Dr knew - I was trying to save $)...like Zantac occassionally until I had to take even more meds because the heartburn/GERD kept getting worse. I was also, toward the end of the nightmare, was taking Prevacid daily...until even that was not enough. I would take one of those pills daily, a Zantac AND have to take Pepto-Bismol before bed.

I was starting to choke at night because of the acid reflux/GERD...difficulty breathing-catching my breath. I couldn't sleep in any other position other than having my head being propped up. It was frightening since I don't have 2 lungs anymore...17 yr lung cancer survivor.

Then fast forward to Sept 2018 when DH and I changed our lifestyle...because of his health - being diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. Within about 2-3 weeks of that change, I stopped having heartburn/GERD...no joke.

Now because I was so tramatized from months/years of the condition, I was at 1st hesitant on stopping all the meds I was taking, so I started to slowly wean myself off of them. Within 2 months I wasn't taking anymore at all.

Speed up to today...after 2.5 years of this new lifestyle - low carb/keto, I have not taken one pill or tablespoon of any RX or OTC PPI. It has literally been life changing.

Two takeaways...

1) It was all the excess carbs/sugar my body couldn't cope with anymore. I became a pre-diabetic with insulin resistance ramping up...heading down the same road as my DH.

2) This is also a fact: The pharma companies and Gov won't tell you because they will lose $. Many meds (I'm not saying all meds) really are unnecessary...I'm taking about those that if folks just changed their lifestyle, they wouldn't need.

Pharma/Gov want to keep folks needing meds. This is just one example. As one gets older, we produce less acid in our stomachs. We need a certain amount of acid to digest food. The more meds one takes to eliminate/rid the acid (what is actually left that one produces as they get older), the more difficult it is for one's body to digest/process food.

My body was literally fighting me to try and digest food and I was making it worse and worse for myself. I could have easily died in my sleep by choking if it continued. Let me add, my Dr should never have given me the RX to begin with and told me to just lower my carb intake. Sadly, so many Dr's are still work with patients - old school - under the belief that the food pyramid the gov developed as it stands is correct. In reality, it is upside down. If only DH & I had been eating the way we havve been all our lives, we would never had these particular health issues whatsoever.

We, along with many other folks thought keto/low carb was just a 'fad'. I'm so glad we took off our rose colored glasses and horse blinders. Better late than never...

I haven't been back to my Dr since I started the new lifestyle, so when I do eventually go back, it will be interesting to say the least. He doesn't even know I stopped all the OTC meds for heartburn/GERD!

Then add on all the other health risks by taking those PPI's. I am grateful every day for our lifestyle change. Not only has my health improved drastically, but the savings alone from not having to take any of them is also huge. We don't even have a bottle of Pepto-Bismol in the house for 'just in case'. That alone says a lot

And as for my DH, he doesn't have to take his diabetic meds anymore either...

Side note - For those interested, I recommend a book 'Lies my Dr Told Me' by Dr Ken Berry.

Quite eye opening...