I take omeprazole (Prilosec), a proton pump inhibitor, to reduce stomach acid. Are there supplements I should avoid, or be taking, due to this drug?

I've been on Omeprazole for over over 20 years. I was diagnosed with Barrett's years ago but it has since healed. So far I haven't found anything else that stops the Acid reflux. I also have short bowel syndrome from An earlier surgery which compounds the mineral absorption problem. I developed A-fib a few years ago and my electrolyte levels were critically low when I was first diagnosed. Now I take magnesium, potassium, C, D and a B-12 injection. I'm 75 now. I do also suffer from peripheral neuropathy, but it seems to have improved.

I had a cough that would not go away, and was told, based on that alone, it was GERD and prescribed PPIs. Turns out that it was my BP medicine and difficulty I had swallowing was from an overactive thyroid. I apparently was also B12 deficient which was missed by more than one doctor, even though I had all the classic symptoms.

I took omeprazole for several years. I have recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I did some research into causes of that and found there may be a link.

OTC Prilosec did nothing for my acid reflux likely due to a hiatus hernia, so PCP ordered prescription doses. It eliminated the reflux, but when I was unable to get the prescription filled one time, the rebound was excruciating. Also note that the packaging says not to take Prilosec for longer than two weeks. Long story short, I went to an acupuncturist who weaned me off the medication. After a few months of treatment I had no reflux and no pain. That was 20 years ago, and I am still pain free.

I was prescribed Ranitidine, 2 times a day for GERD, and took it for years -- reluctantly, always trying to get off it. I'd stop the morning dose and be OK for a few days, and then uh-oh. Then I read something re the problem about apple cider vinegar, that consuming it could help. So I eliminated the morning dose of
Ranitidine, substituted a teaspoonfull of ACD in a glass of
water before breakfast, and -- MAGIC. Weeks passed and no
GERD. Then I eliminated the evening dose, and before dinner I took another teaspoonfull of ACD in water, and you guessed it - more MAGIC. I did this for years with no Ranitidine and no GERD, and then, for eome reason, got careless about taking the ACD, stopped. That was about 3 years ago, and still no GERD, and no Ranitidine. Hey, it's worked for me

I began having acid reflux in 2020. GI doc put me on esomeprazole, which, or course, instantly fixed the GERD. Any time I tried to stop taking it, however, the acid came rushing back. GI doc said I must stay on PPI for life or risk esophageal cancer. I asked about nutrient consequences of reduced stomach acid, and doctor said not to worry and that, again, it was stay on the PPI or risk cancer. In 2021 I began feeling very weak. PCP suggested Clomid to boost testosterone, even though T level was normal. By 2023 I was still weak and had put on fat, even with T replacement. I finally took matters in my own hands in early 2024 and demanded more lab testing. My B12, folate, and iron stores were all very low, and my estrogen level was high from the Clomid (very high T converted to E over time). Against the doc's orders, I got off the esomeprazole. I also stopped the Clomid. The acid rushed back, but I did everything in my power to reduce acid naturally...mostly by cutting out alcohol, not eating late at night, and limiting coffee and chocolate after noon. GERD gone for 3 months now. Nutrient levels improving. I would warn that PPI's are quite dangerous and to work with a functional doctor or nutritionist to manage acid reflux.

I had few symptoms of GERD - only occasional reflux that I treated with Gaviscon. However 6 mos. ago I developed a raspiness in my voice and an occasional "lump" in my throat that made it painful to swallow. The ENT Dr. did a Laryngoscopy and said my esophagus was inflamed, but not barrett's. He prescribed Omniprozole for 12 weeks, then referred me to my primary for follow up and change to an "older" medicine that isn't as effective but doesn't have the side effects of Omniprozole. I did not want to take the PPI to begin with, but did. I have a follow-up appointment with my Dr. tomorrow. The "lump" is gone, but my voice is still scratchy. He called it "silent GERD" since i didn't have normal symptoms.

I went on a PPI for about a month a year or two ago. I started to have migraine headaches even though I had not had migraines since I had started taking magnesium regularly about 10 years ago. When I read that PPIs can reduce magnesium absorption it was suddenly clear what the connection was. I went off the PPI and the migraines went away almost immediately. At least in my case supplemental magnesium absorption is very important to preventing migraines.

I've always had high iron levels, to the point that I increased my blood donations from 1 or 2 times a year to 6 times a year (the maximum) to bring them down. After 18 months on a PPI, I started feeling lousy. Turns out I'm dangerously anemic. Stopped taking the PPI and had 2 iron infusions, hopefully that will help.

I am surprised that no one has mentioned the BRAVO test. I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus five years ago and was told that it was due to my having GERD that was diagnosed several years before. I was told that Bartrett's is defined as having goblet cells (which are located in your intestine) in your esophagus rather than esophagus cells and that this is typically due to a conversion resulting from exposure to stomach acid. I have been on various PPI's the whole time. I have had a persistent sore throat for the past year and both my ENT who scoped down to my voice box and my gastroenterologist who performed an endoscopy indicated that this was due to my acid reflux. I have always been very diet conscious, eat hours before bed, exercise for at least an hour a day, use a wedge pillow, and have a low body weight. A general surgeon friend recommended I request a BRAVO test. This test is performed by a gastroenterologist who, while performing an endoscopy, implants a small capsule in the wall of the esophagus and it records the level of acid in your esophagus over a 48-hour period and is passed through your body in 5-7 days. The recordings are transmitted to a small receiver that you carry with you. Over the 48 hours you keep a detailed diary of your activities in an attempt to determine if there is a relationship between your activities and the amount of acid in your esophagus. I just received the results last week and it turns out that I have virtually no acid in my esophagus and that in my case the goblet cells are of genetic origin (which I was told is rare), that the sore throat is most likely an allergic reaction to nuts (which will be confirmed this week), and that the possibility exists that I have never had GERD, So I would suggest that you ask your gastroenterologist if the BRAVO test is appropriate for you just to confirm that acid is in fact your problem and if it is, at least you might find out what you are doing that may be triggering higher levels. Good luck.

My doc said PPI's were baaaaaad. Over time led to even dementia. I switched to Pepcid AC and the Equate version and never looked back.

I’ve had reflux diagnosed since 1975. I took stopped drinking alcohol in 1984 and took Nexium from 1992 until 2012 when I stopped with increasing bone loss. I learned to eat alkaline foods and nothing for 4 hours before laying down. Avoid sweets for desert. I also take Pepcid before bed and sleep on a 7” wedge. This regime has worked and I no longer wake with a sore throat.

Our practice has had great success, weaning patients off of Prilosec using D lemonene 500mg twice a day for 45 days, Florajen, and the NOW brand of digestive enzymes. We find the digestive enzymes are extremely important in helping to properly breaking down food, and the d-limonene helps to properly balance the acidity level. Also, putting a 2 x 4 underneath the “feet” of your headboard can help tremendously. This works better than elevating your mattress or propping yourself up with pillows. The bed only needs to be elevated 2 inches.
Also, keep in mind that when you discontinue a proton pump, inhibitor that you’ll get rebound acidity that can last up to six days. We frequently switch patients to Pepcid during this process than ween them off the Pepcid.

Looking for other options than PPIs. Felt horrible taking those medicines and they messed up my digestive tract. Some success with alginates.

There are a number of good books which list which foods [for example coffee] which relax the lower esophageal sphincter, thus allowing normal levels of acid to enter the esophagus.

Wanted to get off prilocex, so tried all different things, nothing I tried worked, so on prilocex. Any advice.

I do have NERD (nonerosive acid reflux) diagnosed 3 years ago and have been on PPIs ever since. I actually don’t feel any reflux but following the gastro’s diagnosis of the symptoms that’s supposedly what it us. I’d like to get rid of the PPIs but every time I try my whole system goes haywire. Right now I’m pouring some of the content of the capsule out, little by little some more and hope that over time I’ll be able to quit it for good. Btw does anyone have any experience with NERD? I would appreciate to hear from you because even my doctor didn’t know about it. It looks as if medicine doesn’t have any conclusive info.

I'm not seeing anyone discussing the role that an ineffective esophageal sphincter (staying open too long, opening inappropriately, opening due to pressure from obesity, a too-full stomach, etc.) plays in frequent reflux. The amount of stomach acid doesn't seem to be the problem--the problem is stomach acid reaching tissues that are not meant to withstand the normal stomach pH. There are many things that can influence that, as readers have noted, but many people still have a problem despite trying ALL the things suggested here. Because you ask that commenters cite the origin of their comments (although I see a lot of people not doing that) I will say that my comments stem from my education and experience, both professional as a nurse practitioner, and personal, with acid reflux.

About 8 years ago I was taking Prilosec everyday for 3 years and after reading the long term affects, I decided to research natural alternatives. In my research, I found several articles on Apple Cider Vinegar with "Mother". After taking it for 2 weeks, my heartburn went away. To this day, I still take Apple Cider Vinegar every night with dinner. Its also very good for digestion and weight loss.

I have successfully gotten patients off of PPIs using chewable Diglyrhizzinated licorice (DGL). Enzymatic Therapy makes a chocolate and an unflavored one. Chewing one at the first sign of discomfort soothes the GI lining. If that isn’t enough I add in Life Extension Esophogeal Guardian, the chewable tablet prior or just after meals makes temporary little foam rafts that prevent acid from reflux if back into the esophagus.

I have no financial interests in these companies, just know they work! Of course it is better to taper off PPIs, especially after long term use, as the rebound reflux is terrible. Just my clinical experience.

It is important to keep in mind that the approved use of PPIs is for a 14 day run. Aside from exceptions for unusual medical conditions, there is no good science behind long term use. In contrast, there is a growing body of evidence (some of it only tentative) showing various harms, some of them serious in relation to long term health.

As CL points out, a healthier approach involves lifestyle changes including experimenting with dietary changes and specific foods, losing weight, exercising, managing stress, and improving sleep conditions. It may even be worthwhile to examine the potential for food allergies.

Most interesting to me is the clear tipping point I am seeing in the online professional medical discussion groups to which I belong. A year ago, I recall little discussion among physicians related to the potential harms associated to the long term use of PPIs. Now, there is a great deal of discussion, usually in reaction to the release of a new research report, and 90% of the discussion is negative with respect to long term usage.

Beware: PPIs are very profitable to the pharmaceutical companies. One company created a less effective and much more expensive PPI to replace one that was going off patent protection. As usage goes down, consumers can expect to see more advertisements touting the benefits of PPIs.

If you are taking PPIs on a long term basis, and do not have a serious underlying medical condition that warrants doing so, my suggestion would be to work on gradually weaning yourself from them. To be safe, you may want to consult with your physician.

If you are taking proton pump inhibitors, you may develop a deficiency of magnesium.
This can lead to some constipation. Be sure you are not suffering from a depletion
of magnesium when taking those inhibitors.

i took proton pump inhibitors for nearly 15 years... in ever increasing doses and ever increasing break through reflux. it took nearly 3 years, but i've managed to get off of them using melatonin and a b-complex. i take 3mg of melatonin most nights, but do skip on purpose as melatonin is not without side effects. i also use baking soda on an as needed basis. and i sleep on an inclined mattress support (aka box spring). in the last year i started a low carb/high fat diet and i notice when i eat bread i get more reflux. google melatonin and gerd, there are some real scienific studies that show it is as good as or better than ppis. note: there are a lot more articles on the internet about this topic then there used to be and some of them aren't very good. unfortunately, i've lost my best links when i had to replace my last laptop. good luck!

If you are experiencing regular discomfort after eating, it would be prudent to look into root cause instead of how to cover up the symptom. In addition to our guts being considered our "second brain", and providing 80% of our immune system, leaky gut (symptomized with digestive discomfort) is almost always a trigger to even bigger health problems such as autoimmunity. Try working with a nutritionist to identify the issue with your digestive system, and incorporate diet and lifestyle changes that will make you healthy long term.

Prilosec was the worst thing i ever took for stomach acid. I stopped it and got better in a hurry. Probiotics and better nutrition was my answer to stomach acid problems. Prilosec seems to demand more and more of the drug in a vicious cycle, but doctors love to prescribe it.

try Apple Cider Vinegar (2 tbsp) and i tbsp of Honey

I was taking 40mg twice a day, then changed to protonics. My wife put me on 4 coconut
caplets a day. I no longer take any acid reflux medication, and my stomach problems have gone away.