By: Terry Graedon June 16, 2024 167 Comments
    Getting Off Omeprazole

    Is it smart to block the production of stomach acid with powerful proton pump inhibitor drugs (PPIs)? Millions of people take these drugs to control acid reflux, ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux dise…

    By: Joe Graedon February 21, 2019 12 Comments
    More Bad News About PPIs and Kidney Damage

    The FDA loves proton pump inhibitors (PPI)s. So do doctors, especially gastroenterologists. Drugs like esomeprazole (Nexium) lansoprazole (Prevacid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) used to top the doctors' …

    By: Joe Graedon October 12, 2017 61 Comments
    PPI Side Effects Continue to Scare Us To Death

    Have you ever met people who have a hard time admitting they might have made a mistake? Such individuals defend their decisions and actions no matter what the consequences. It feels to us as if the Fo…

    By: Joe Graedon March 6, 2017 23 Comments
    Should You Worry About Kidney Damage with PPI He…

    Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are incredibly popular. By one estimate, nearly 8% of adults took a prescription drug like esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid) or omeprazole (Prilosec) in the …

    By: Terry Graedon November 11, 2013 9 Comments
    How to Use Herbs and Diet to Get Off Prevacid De…

    Q. I came off lansoprazole (Prevacid) over a year ago after taking it for four years for stomachaches. (I'd never had heartburn.) I stopped because I was suffering with muscle pains and couldn't sleep…

    By: Joe Graedon October 3, 2013 189 Comments
    Stopping Nexium (Esomeprazole) Suddenly Can Caus…

    When the acid-suppressing medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were first introduced, doctors were extremely enthusiastic. The drugs were extremely effective at treating ulcers and sever…

    By: Joe Graedon October 22, 2012 42 Comments
    Reader Pooh-Poohs PPI Problems

    The acid-suppressing drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have become immensely popular. Medicines like dexlansoprazole (Dexilant), (esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole…

    By: Terry Graedon June 18, 2012 39 Comments
    Stopping Omeprazole Provoked Unbearable Pain

    Q. For years my doctor prescribed Prilosec and then Nexium for my reflux. He never mentioned anything about side effects and made it sound like a super-safe drug that I could take indefinitely. I lost…

    By: Terry Graedon October 9, 2011 94 Comments
    Heartburn Drugs Are Hard to Stop

    Q. Your advice on getting off acid-suppressing drugs (PPIs) makes it clear you've never experienced rebound reflux. I am a nurse, and I take omeprazole, lansoprazole or whatever other PPI I can get. I…

    By: Terry Graedon September 19, 2011 31 Comments
    Stopping Acid-Suppressing Drug Can Be a Challeng…

    Q. As a nurse, I'm concerned about the widespread use of acid-suppressing drugs like omeprazole. I've heard many patients talk about how bad their reflux is when they stop these drugs. Until recently …

    By: Terry Graedon December 13, 2010 31 Comments
    Getting Off PPIs

    Q. Do you have a diet for helping me survive omeprazole detox? Your book alerted me to the dangers of the drug and I want to end my dependence on this heartburn medicine. When I forgot to take omepraz…

    By: Terry Graedon August 16, 2010 25 Comments
    Almonds Worked against Indigestion

    Q. Your column helped me finally get off Prevacid. All my previous attempts failed until I learned to eat almonds to stop the indigestion. Now that I have eliminated the drug I am hopeful my risk of b…

    By: Terry Graedon May 23, 2010 10 Comments
    Failing the Acid Test

    There was a time when people treated heartburn symptoms with simple remedies. A half-teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water was one standby. If you wanted to get a little fancier you could chew a…

    By: Terry Graedon December 23, 2009 23 Comments
    Getting Off Drugs for GERD Requires Strategy

    Q. I have GERD and I have been on Nexium for several years. Before Nexium I took Tagamet, Zantac, and Prilosec, in that order. I have tried to get off of this medicine several times, and I have been u…