Are you drowning in pills?
Do you want to cut down on unnecessary medication?
This article will look at 11 hacks to taper you off Omeprazole and reduce GERD symptoms.
Omeprazole cannot be suddenly stopped. This medication should be tapered off gradually. The reason you do not want to do this you may experience rebound acid hypersecretion. What does this mean? And why does this happen?
Some basics first. You would have to understand how Omeprazole works. Omeprazole blocks the secretion of acid, stomach acid. Now, if you suddenly stop Omeprazole your stomach acid is not being suppressed anymore and in fact there is rebound acid secretion. The best way to compare this is if comparing this scenario to a dam holding water. The dam is akin to Omeprazole holding water, in this case acid. If the dam does not do it’s blocking anymore water is released. In the same way acid is not suppressed anymore and there is hypersecretion of acid.
Your health care provider must be part of the process when you are tapering off this medication.
You should understand that there are certain diseases when Omeprazole cannot be stopped. Your health care provider has you on this medication for chronic treatment. Some indications for long term treatment may include:
- Pathological gastric acid hypersecretion, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome Barrett’s esophagus
- Esophageal stenosis/stricture
- Chronic NSAID use
- Chronic low-dose aspirin with history of a GI bleed
- Chronic high-dose systemic steroid
- Antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment
5 Hacks to stop taking Omeprazole
1) Lifestyle changes: These are effective. However, for these to be effective they should be done consistently. Weight loss is part of the treatment plan for GERD. If you have excessive weight this increases abdominal pressure making stomach acid reflux much easier.
2)Stop eating food 3-4 hours before going to bed. In fact, if you eat just before going to bed you are seven times more likely to experience GERD or have increased GERD symptoms.
3)Elevate your head while sleeping at least 6-8 inches (15-20cm). This makes it more difficult for acid to flow into your esophagus.
4)Certain foods can trigger GERD symptoms or make them worse. Avoid or reduce following foods or beverages: carbonated drinks, drinks with caffeine, spicy food, foods which are high in fat, peppermint, fried food, chocolate, oranges, and other citrus fruits
5)Avoid tight fitting clothes. They can increase your abdominal pressure worsening your GERD symptoms.
6)Also both Alcohol as well as smoking can worsen GERD symptoms.
7)Stress can increase and aggravate GERD. Relaxation techniques such a diaphragmatic breathing or yoga as a form of meditation have shown to help.
8) There are different approaches to tapering PPIs.Tapering should be done in conjunction with your health care provider.If you are on 40mg of Omeprazole then can be reduced to 20mg daily.If you are on Omeprazole twice a day this can be changed to once daily. Tapering off Omeprazole or any other PPI usually takes two to four weeks. This is only on ball point number as it can take longer for certain individuals and therefore, the tapering schedule will have to be individualized.
9)Once you are are on the lower dose of the PPI, Omeprazole can be taken every other day this is usually taken for two weeks. Some individuals may prefer to take Omeprazole every third day in their last week.
10) If symptoms do reoccur and H2 blocker such as Ranitidine (Zantac) or Famotidine (Pepcid)can be used. These medications also suppress gastric acid production and secretion. H2 blockers in older adults have effects on the central nervous system and can cause side effects such as confusion headache and dizziness. Discuss with your health care provider to see if this fits your tapering schedule.
11) Instead of H2 blockers you might prefer Sucralfate. It forms a barrier over ulcers and in that way protects ulcers and your stomach lining. It can be taken before meals as well as before bedtime.
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Think your health and have a good day.
Sources:
- https://www.goodrx.com/omeprazole/
- https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/coming-off-a-proton-pump-inhibitor.asp#:~:text=Slowly%20taper%20off%20the%20PPI,technique%20such%20as%20deep%20breathing.
- https://www.practiceupdate.com/content/my-approach-to-tapering-off-a-proton-pump-inhibitor/36802
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/019810s096lbl.pdf
