Friday, August 19, 2011 eirrac asks

Q: I take a 20 mg. Nexium capsule only once every 3 or 4 days....

(partly because it's expensive and partly because I don't like some of the side effects). On the off days, if I have a problem, I use Mylanta or DGL licorice tablets that usually works well. Often I don't need to take anything if I eat carefully and sensibly.

My question is this: Is it okay to use Nexium only every three or four days? Can it harm me in any way to not take it daily? I've tried just about all types of antacids and Nexium works the best (although I still have stomach gurgling and an odd taste in the back of my throat on the days I take it). I should add that even when I used to take Nexium every day, I had the stomach gurgling/very odd taste in my throat.

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Answers (1)

Stephanie, Health Guide

8/20/11 11:06pm

The proton pump inhibitors work best when taken regularly because they generally take a few days to build up in your system to an effective dosage and for your body to heal. As you have already noted though they do have some side effects short as well as long term. You may want to consider seeing your doctor about an overall plan. Perhaps a maintenance dose of an h2blocker such as Zantac (ranitidine) or Pepcid (famotidine) would be a better overall plan? Stephanie

Madge

8/21/11 8:23pm

Hi, Stephanie...

I'll ask the doctor what he'd suggest next time I go in, but I don't think I want to take ranitidine or famotidine again because they always gave me wicked stomach cramps. I really have tried just about all the heartburn meds out there.

Carol

Stephanie, Health Guide

8/21/11 9:52pm

A lot of people also get cramping when they take the PPIs. My Mom has issues with Prilosec but not Prevacid for some reason. She said the first three weeks on Prilosec she's great and then severe stomach cramping sets in.

But, it definitely sounds like it is a good time to talk to your doctor about an overall plan since the meds aren't helping enough. I now take Pepcid simply because I'm trying to hold off on the PPIs for my bone health but taking Pepcid means I have very few foods that I can eat without feeling pretty miserable!

You may also want to discuss surgery as an option with your doctor. While you may not want to think about it now, if your symptoms are severe and you can't treat them with medications then surgery may be an option but it too comes with complications.

You may also want to see if your doctor has any concerns about your ongoing symptoms and whether or not he wants to run any tests to determine if you have any amount of concerning damage due to the reflux.

Best of Luck - Stephanie

Q: I take a 20 mg. Nexium capsule only once every 3 or 4 days....

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