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Suggest Dosage For Apo-Esomeprazole
Question: Hello:
I have been taking a daily dose (40mg) of Apo-Esomeprazole for the last 2 1/2 years. My doctor told me to take it as needed but i have been taking everyday. I recently tried to get off of it cold turkey and encountered some discomfort. I am a little anxious that i may have created a serious problem for myself. Do you have any advice?
I have been taking a daily dose (40mg) of Apo-Esomeprazole for the last 2 1/2 years. My doctor told me to take it as needed but i have been taking everyday. I recently tried to get off of it cold turkey and encountered some discomfort. I am a little anxious that i may have created a serious problem for myself. Do you have any advice?
Brief Answer:
it can be given for long periods of time
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
taking long-term treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) is usual. Patients with gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) need PPI all the time. There is no 'addiction' to it and is usually well tolerated (that is without significant side effects).
Why was a PPI prescribed to you? Do you have GERD?
If you have GERD then you will (probably) need to take it to avoid damage to your esophagus. If you had an ulcer then anything more than a couple of months is too much!
In any case an upper endoscopy is a necessary test to evaluate the condition of the esophagus and to detect potential problems in the upper gastrointestinal system.
Kind Regards!
it can be given for long periods of time
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
taking long-term treatment with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) is usual. Patients with gastro-esophageal reflux (GERD) need PPI all the time. There is no 'addiction' to it and is usually well tolerated (that is without significant side effects).
Why was a PPI prescribed to you? Do you have GERD?
If you have GERD then you will (probably) need to take it to avoid damage to your esophagus. If you had an ulcer then anything more than a couple of months is too much!
In any case an upper endoscopy is a necessary test to evaluate the condition of the esophagus and to detect potential problems in the upper gastrointestinal system.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello, thanks for your response. that makes me feel a little better. Yes i have GERD. i thought i was taking 20mg pills but just realized today i was taking 40mg pills. Also my doctor told me to take them when i felt it was necessary and i just got into the habit of taking them daily. As I am changing my diet to combat some weight and fatty liver issues i attempted to stop taking the pills recently and noticed that the old symptoms came back. In fact everything I ate
seemed to cause serious indigestion (burping and a feeling of my food getting stuck in throat) and a burning feeling in my throat. Since I am adapting a 'cleaner' diet and seeing a natural path, I thought getting off this medication would be much easier. Is it possible to wean myself off this medication gradually?
seemed to cause serious indigestion (burping and a feeling of my food getting stuck in throat) and a burning feeling in my throat. Since I am adapting a 'cleaner' diet and seeing a natural path, I thought getting off this medication would be much easier. Is it possible to wean myself off this medication gradually?
Brief Answer:
it depends...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Unfortunately GERD is a chronic condition. Chronic treatment is required because the gastric contents do regurgitate all the time. The difference with esomeprazole is that the content is not so acidic and does not injure the esophagus. This saves you from the various complications of esophageal injury (esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus and even cancer). Stopping the medication causes the acidic content to injure the esophagus again and the symptoms to return.
Loosing weight, avoiding eating heavy meals or big quantity of food. Prefer smaller meals and avoid lying down after eating. Avoid too much coffee or citrus fruits/drinks. An upper endoscopy is required (if you haven't done so already) to assess the condition of the esophagus among other things.
So the answer is that it is difficult to wean off the medication but improving the way you eat and your weight may help. Some patients do manage to stop the medication but most patients will need them even if only periodically.
Kind Regards!
it depends...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Unfortunately GERD is a chronic condition. Chronic treatment is required because the gastric contents do regurgitate all the time. The difference with esomeprazole is that the content is not so acidic and does not injure the esophagus. This saves you from the various complications of esophageal injury (esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus and even cancer). Stopping the medication causes the acidic content to injure the esophagus again and the symptoms to return.
Loosing weight, avoiding eating heavy meals or big quantity of food. Prefer smaller meals and avoid lying down after eating. Avoid too much coffee or citrus fruits/drinks. An upper endoscopy is required (if you haven't done so already) to assess the condition of the esophagus among other things.
So the answer is that it is difficult to wean off the medication but improving the way you eat and your weight may help. Some patients do manage to stop the medication but most patients will need them even if only periodically.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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