Is omeprazole bad when taken long term?

I (female, age 85) have been taking omeprazole 20 mg for years because of a rupture in the diaphragm. Now my doctor has advised me to double the dose. But I read that omeprazole is not good when taken for a long time. What now?

Answer:

Omeprazole is a popular and effective remedy for stomach upset. Stomach pills like omeprazole work well and usually without side effects. Long-term use can sometimes cause a vitamin deficiency and you run a greater risk of osteoporosis or an infection. With a rupture in the diaphragm, such as you have, you often cannot do without a stomach remedy. The seal between the esophagus and the stomach then no longer works properly, causing stomach acid to rise. The use of 20 mg per day is a normal maintenance dose. If that is not effective enough, the dose can be increased. But there are other ‘medicines’ you can try: wearing loose clothing, raising the head of the bed, quitting smoking, losing weight if you are overweight and avoiding food and drinks that cause discomfort.

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