Good day, Myeloma Warriors!
I was diagnosed in June 2014 and luckily am doing well. I've been in a clinical trial taking Farydak (panobinostat) and have been on that and Revlimid maintenance for 2 years.
One of my medications that I take daily is omeprazole 40 mg (Prilosec, Losec). I have heard twice on the national news of the danger of taking medications like omeprazole for any prolonged period. The risk is kidney dysfunction and/or failure.
Should I be concerned? Is omeprazole commonly given with myeloma treatments, or are guidelines changing because of the news I heard?
Any help on this issue is much appreciated!
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5 posts
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Lisa Stephenson - Name: Lisa Stephenson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec) during treatment
Hello Lisa,
People who take multiple medications, generally, are prescribed omeprazole or a derivative of it. Irrespective if it is multiple myeloma. To reduce gastrointestinal (GI) issues.
As you know, of all the daily medications taken for multiple myeloma, being on Revlimid maintenance is of the utmost concern. Revlimid side effects include secondary cancers, proper liver function, GI issues, blood clots, low RBC and WBC counts, along with the many, many other side effects. Also, taking into consideration the monthly questions to be answered, required by Celgene, prior to dispensation of the 21 day cycle.
As my spouse is on Revlimid maintenance, and multiple other medications, the omeprazole (also daily 40 mg) diminishes the GI issues (GERD), in taking all the varied medications.
Since omeprazole isn’t one of the medications crucial to survival of having multiple myeloma, and you express the concern of the side effects; you may want to wean yourself from it, and see what effect it has on your overall being (as omeprazole addresses GI related issues).
Ask your physician the best way to try to wean yourself, and see if there is an effect. Day by day. That is the only way: trial and error. If you wean yourself and there is little consequence, you will have one less medication to take.
Best to you,
Zelda
People who take multiple medications, generally, are prescribed omeprazole or a derivative of it. Irrespective if it is multiple myeloma. To reduce gastrointestinal (GI) issues.
As you know, of all the daily medications taken for multiple myeloma, being on Revlimid maintenance is of the utmost concern. Revlimid side effects include secondary cancers, proper liver function, GI issues, blood clots, low RBC and WBC counts, along with the many, many other side effects. Also, taking into consideration the monthly questions to be answered, required by Celgene, prior to dispensation of the 21 day cycle.
As my spouse is on Revlimid maintenance, and multiple other medications, the omeprazole (also daily 40 mg) diminishes the GI issues (GERD), in taking all the varied medications.
Since omeprazole isn’t one of the medications crucial to survival of having multiple myeloma, and you express the concern of the side effects; you may want to wean yourself from it, and see what effect it has on your overall being (as omeprazole addresses GI related issues).
Ask your physician the best way to try to wean yourself, and see if there is an effect. Day by day. That is the only way: trial and error. If you wean yourself and there is little consequence, you will have one less medication to take.
Best to you,
Zelda
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ZippyZelda - Name: ZippyZelda
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Spouse
Re: Omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec) during treatment
Hello,
I used omeprazole for some months and it was very helpful in reducing and even eliminating stomach acid reflux caused by a hiatus hernia. I later read articles on an alternative product, lansoprazole (Prevacid, Zoton, Lanzor), which indicated a possibility that there could be some anti-myeloma benefits in using this 'proton pump inhibitor', I made the change following discussions with my family doctor and my hematologist, I found the replacement product worked just as well.
More recently I have reduced the lansoprazole from a daily dose to a single capsule (15 mg) every two days, so I now take perhaps only three capsules per week, if I experience reflux problems I can resume to daily dosing, but this is quite seldom;
I find also that quite minor dietary modifications can be very beneficial, for example boiled potatoes instead of fries, reducing the amount of milk and fatty products, including chocolate.
Best Wishes,
Victor L
I used omeprazole for some months and it was very helpful in reducing and even eliminating stomach acid reflux caused by a hiatus hernia. I later read articles on an alternative product, lansoprazole (Prevacid, Zoton, Lanzor), which indicated a possibility that there could be some anti-myeloma benefits in using this 'proton pump inhibitor', I made the change following discussions with my family doctor and my hematologist, I found the replacement product worked just as well.
More recently I have reduced the lansoprazole from a daily dose to a single capsule (15 mg) every two days, so I now take perhaps only three capsules per week, if I experience reflux problems I can resume to daily dosing, but this is quite seldom;
I find also that quite minor dietary modifications can be very beneficial, for example boiled potatoes instead of fries, reducing the amount of milk and fatty products, including chocolate.
Best Wishes,
Victor L
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Victor L - Name: Victor L
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec) during treatment
I do not use omeprazole on a daily or even regular basis. I don't know that I was directed to. I thought I was directed to use in "as need" for acid reflux. I say this because it is possible I misunderstood the directions. I used it occasionally during initial induction treatments with Kyprolis, Pomalyst, and dex (KPD) when I would get mild acid reflex at night lying in bed.
Post transplant, I am finding that I get pretty severe hiccups in bed following my day of treatment with dex (mornings), Kyprolis (mornings) and Pomalyst before bed. I will wake up at 1 or 2 with strong hiccups and some acid reflux. The omeprazole normally settles things down so I can sleep. Unlike today when I got up at 4 because I just couldn't take it.
So, should I be asking my doctors about daily use? I assumed it was more of an agent that hit the immediate symptoms. so was really just timely.
Post transplant, I am finding that I get pretty severe hiccups in bed following my day of treatment with dex (mornings), Kyprolis (mornings) and Pomalyst before bed. I will wake up at 1 or 2 with strong hiccups and some acid reflux. The omeprazole normally settles things down so I can sleep. Unlike today when I got up at 4 because I just couldn't take it.
So, should I be asking my doctors about daily use? I assumed it was more of an agent that hit the immediate symptoms. so was really just timely.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec) during treatment
As a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) taker myself, as far as I understand, PPIs are to be taken as a course, usually for about two weeks, and the next course is only recommended in about 4 months or so, This medication is known to affect vitamin B and magnesium levels negatively. However, people with severe and persistent GERD are prescribed PPIs to take for prolonged periods. My brother-in-law has been taking them for years. So far he is OK, but needs to be monitored.
I have been feeling recently that the period between my PPI courses of 4 months is too long. When I spoke to my gastroenterologist and expressed concern about taking it for so long, he said that I could take it 'as needed' or skip days. Also, go for the lowest working dose.
I now buy lansoprazole 15 mg. It's available at the neighborhood pharmacy and only take it as needed rather than as a course.
GERD is also dangerous if it is chronic, as it can permanently damage the esophagus, and that increases future cancer risk, So it does need to be treated.
I also notice that not eating after 6 p.m. helps.
I have been feeling recently that the period between my PPI courses of 4 months is too long. When I spoke to my gastroenterologist and expressed concern about taking it for so long, he said that I could take it 'as needed' or skip days. Also, go for the lowest working dose.
I now buy lansoprazole 15 mg. It's available at the neighborhood pharmacy and only take it as needed rather than as a course.
GERD is also dangerous if it is chronic, as it can permanently damage the esophagus, and that increases future cancer risk, So it does need to be treated.
I also notice that not eating after 6 p.m. helps.
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Gala - Name: Gala
- Who do you know with myeloma?: sister, LgA-k
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
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