prednisone and omeprazole

It is quite common for people to take a PPI like omeprazole or lansoprazole when on Prednisone as it can be helpful in protecting the stomach from irritation - and many doctors prescribe it for this as a matter of routine. I was already taking it prior to my Pred regime - and it often works well- based on comments here (but not for 'all'. I have personally never had any side effects  - especially of a worsening 'stomach' variety even from my usage over a long period. If your stomach is still irritated you might try taking enteric coated pred (available in some countries at least), and/or eating thick greek yoghurt beforehand to line your stomach - I do that too and lots of others here recommend that as well !

Hope you sort it out - it's not a good thing to have that kind of tummy whatever else is going on.

Best wishes

Omeprazole commonly causes gastric problems - which I assume you mean when you say "irritated stomach and belly". A more objective description would be helpful! It commonly causes abdominal pain, bloating, wind and diarrhoea which can be severe. One lady was unable to leave the house because of the need to be near a toilet.

Many doctors prescribe a PPI (the group of drugs of which omeprazole is a member) when patients are on pred. I have never used it and neither have quite a few on the forums. I was on gastro-resistant tablets for some time - only available in the UK - and otherwise used yoghurt like many of my friends. 

An alternative is ranitidine, sold OTC as Zantac, which does the same thing, suppressing acid production, but with a completely different mechanism and, as a result, different and fewer side effects.

hI 

I have the same script-it is designed to calm the acids in the stomach.

Mine works great, be sure to take at least 1/2 hr before prednisone. 

I hope u feel better!!

Hi Mary 

 I was prescribed Omeprazole. 20mg with no side affects from starting Prednisolone in March 2017.

 Interesting to know if this has the same affect on others that you are experiencing. Maybe have a work with your GP. Good luck.

Hi mary23801, I been taking Omeprazole for over 10 years and Predinisone now for about a year with no problems. I never had a problem with the Omeprazole, but the side effects of the Predinisone are tough. I cannot imagine what it would be like to have PMR without Predinisone. Good luck! 🙂

If you look up omeprazole you will find that it was not intended as a longterm medication, although many people do seem to take it for years.  It can add to the potential bone thibnning effects of prednisone, so if you don't need it, don't take it.  What other things did you try to relieve the irritation of pred?

I have been on pred for a year and half, present dosage 6 mg.  Recently, old ulcers, unknown to me, bled, caused by a blood thinner used duriing a knee replacement.  I was treated with two medications for a month beginningi in the hospital.  A few months later,  I was given 120 mg Ranitidine 2 xs a day and developed hives after three pils.  I was switched to 20 mg Omeprazole (Prilosec) 1 x a day for the remainder of the month. I have had a frequent sharp pain every few days in the general areaof my left side, not sure where.  I stopped drinking wine with meals, changed to a low acid instant coffee and food diet, et al, to see if the pain would go away.  I am hoping the medication works.  So far no pain for a few days.  Would like to hear of other pred/priosec experiences.