For a couple of years now there have been reports of the danger of heartburn drugs/PPI blockers like zantac that are commonly used to help with the side effects of gastric surgery.

Today Canada officially recalled these drugs due to their link to cancer.

Personally, I am completely dependent on these drugs due to the acid reflux side effect of my gastric sleeve. If you use these prescriptions daily, I strongly urge you to contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2019/70989a-eng.php?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=77363999&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8zLyVDfQD8I8hCu3-XeY7Fh97rFTkpD6v27F37TI29RzLKaNdKiDz_TiM1BKOzRo_NfiS6IqmuYpTuPc_HRfMUlmpaxA&_hsmi=77363999
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ranitidine (Zantac) is actually an H2 blocker rather than a PPI - and a lot of people got moved over to them when all the bad press started coming out a couple of years ago about PPIs. They say Tagamet - another H2 blocker - is still OK, so you could ask about that. But I don't know what on earth people are supposed to do now...

I take Prilosec. Is that a PPI or an H2 blocker?

2 minutes ago, Dee2938 said:

I take Prilosec. Is that a PPI or an H2 blocker?

PPI

Time to get RNY

9 hours ago, catwoman7 said:

ranitidine (Zantac) is actually an H2 blocker rather than a PPI - and a lot of people got moved over to them when all the bad press started coming out a couple of years ago about PPIs. They say Tagamet - another H2 blocker - is still OK, so you could ask about that. But I don't know what on earth people are supposed to do now...

Hahaha! I was gonna make this point.

It's actually due to the composition of one ingredient in the pill and not for the active ingredient. So likely, they are reformulating it now.

I'd just switch to pepcid AC or tagamet. And I'd call your doc and ask for a PPI prescription for omeprazole 20 or 40mg.

Most times when GERd gets bad with sleeve they convert to RNY. Maybe more due to undiagnosed GERd prior to surgery?

I don’t like the long term effects of ppI or side effects. I am extremely sensitive to medication, even herbal supplements. I have such a long allergy list it’s a pain when I need a procedure. My dr prescribed omeprozole, I honestly didn’t take it. Even after they said I had ulcers at the stoma. But the next time they didn’t see ulcers. As to accuracy of any test, it’s a crapshoot. PPI long term can cause serious side effects include kidney disease, fractures, infections and vitamin deficiencies

I had to get a new prescription anyway because I needed to start a new, more effective muscle relaxer (diazepam) and proton pump inhibitors block the absorption of the muscle relaxer. They gave me a prescription for Pepcid (famotidine) it’s an antacid and antihistamine.

They all say don’t take longer than two weeks unless the dr prescribes it. What gets me is listed side effects. Does it cause constipation or diarrhea ... pick one, sometimes people need to know that before taking a medication and how can it be both? I definitely don’t need more headaches or other side effects to add to my existing illness. But I will give it a try.

Pepcid (famotidine) is an H2-blocker used to treat and prevent recurrence of stomach and duodenal ulcers. Pepcid is also useful in managing heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Pepcid is available as a generic drug. Side effects of Pepcid are not common, but may include:

constipation,

diarrhea,

fatigue,

dizziness,

weakness,

mood changes,

headache,

insomnia,

muscle pain or cramps,

joint pain,

dry mouth,

nausea, or

vomiting.