PPIs

chowchows · August 18, 2011

Can everyone share which PPI they take (and dosage), and if they think it works/why they prefer it over another one? I have been taking prescription Prilosec 40mg since way before my surgery, but I am almost done with my prescription and I am thinking about trying one of the OTC ones. I wasn't sure if the OTC Prilosec was the best, or maybe Zegerid or Nexium. I think since I had my hernia repaired, I can definitely come down to 20mg, but I'm just not sure which OTC ones actually work the best. TIA for your advice!

mednar · August 18, 2011

I use the Walmart brand of dual action acid reducer. It's the store brand of Pepcid Complete.

It has

Active Ingredient (In Each chewable Tablet): Famotidine 10 Mg-Acid Reducer, Calcium Carbonate 800 Mg- Antacid, Magnesium Hydroxide 165 Mg- Antacid.

They work pretty well for me.

TijuanaPlication · August 21, 2011

I used Nexium for the first month post op (sorry I don't remember the dosage).

I then stopped, but went back onto Omeprazole 20mg (the generic version of Prilosec) for a couple of weeks to see if it helped with the hunger. It made no difference so I no longer take anything.

You should exercise caution when taking a PPI as they can inhibit Calcium absorption.

Have you been advised to take a PPI long term? I can't imagine this surgery would really necessitate it (unless you had problems before), as it's a variant of fundoplication http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissen_fundoplication which is used for treating GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).

chowchows · August 21, 2011

I have trouble with my lower esophogeal valve not closing completely, so yes, PPI's will be long term unless I choose to have a big surgery to correct it. I was hoping that the surgery might help, because as you said it's a variant of the nissen fundoplication..but so far it's about the same as before.