General Chat

I put this on Mels' thread but it may be of wider interest.

Millions of Brits 'hooked' on medication to manage acid reflux that's putting them at risk of dementia, a top pharmacist has warned. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the UK's most widely used drugs, with 73 million NHS prescriptions dispensed in England in 2022-23, at a cost of £190m. The drugs, like omeprazole and lansoprazole, help to reduce the amount of acid inside the stomach, limiting the distressing symptoms of reflux, also called heartburn- including pain and difficulty swallowing. However, studies have suggested that long-term use could increase the risk of developing dementia. A 2023 US study published in the journal Neurology found that taking PPI medications such as omeprazole, esomeprazole and lansoprazole for more than four and a half years could make you 33 per cent more likely to develop dementia, compared to those who've never taken it.

Interesting. I am on omeprazole and have been for several years, as a drug to offset the acidity caused bythe aspirin I take as blood thinners to reduce the risk of strokes. As I don't suffer from acid reflux I don't think I am addicted to omeprazole - it makes no obvious difference if I forget to take them, but I might mention it to the GP next time I see him.

I've been on omeprazole since about 2004/5, and I don't think I'm suffering any dementia, as yet anyway!

I do know that I suffer badly when I have stopped taking them, whether on a trial or accidentally, and it takes me several days after resuming taking them before I am in any kind of comfortable "normal" state.

I was on Omeprazole for a few months.
I mentioned it to my doctor, along with large lumps in my upper abdomen.
She basically ignored the lumps, saying they were 'probably' external diverticula. and put me on Omeprazole!

At the same time, she also put me on an extra blood pressure pill - I was already taking Amlodopine.
I'd been on this other drug years ago, and my doctor then, removed it.

THEN my doctor said my liver was deteriorating. Something, I found, that his 'extra' blood pressure pill could cause.

I was sent to a hepatologist, who immediately removed the extra blood pressure pill, but also said my liver was 'fine for my age'. My blood pressure didn't rise!

This then made me look at the Omeprazole. I started taking it less, until I was no longer taking it - but got some 'Gaviscon' in, just in case.

Well, in reality, I found I rarely get reflux. True, I have a boring diet, but it suits me.
I just have to remember to take some Gaviscon with me if I go somewhere else to eat!

I use gaviscon. I used to take Gavilast but they stopped producing that It was more proactive than reactive like Gviscon Never knew why they stopped making it.

Gavilast is a brand name for ranitidine.

The NHS website says:
"Ranitidine is not currently available in the UK or globally. It has been discontinued as a precaution because it may contain a small amount of an impurity that has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in animals. It's not yet known whether it will be available again in future."

Thanks for that AG

AG ...................

Ranitidine has been back on the market here for several years!

There were several months when it was off the market, and people like myself who takes it in addition to Omeprazole, had to try several different drugs, each of which in turn also disappeared!

It was taken off the market here in September 2019, but was back within a few months after further testing proved it safe.

I guess your guys haven't returned it to the market.

Just buy Zantac!

Thanks for that Sylvia. I have occaional heartburn and very very occasional reflux so mostly manage it without anything except Gaviscon tablets.

My mum used to say "I don't like this getting old Mel" now I know just what she meant.............