Omeprazole

[squirre1]

Has anyone else taken this in pregnancy? I'm 33 weeks and the heartburn and reflux has got unbearable to the point where I'm throwing up :-/ the Dr prescribed omeprazole but said he can't guarantee it's safe for the baby which has worried me. I know they can't test drugs on pregnant women but I'm feeling guilty about taking it. Just wondered if anyone else had taken it and both you and the baby were fine?

[duckfilledfattypuss]

I took it in late pregnancy both times and had no ill effects for me or the DC.

It was worst at night for me - if you're the same there are other things that might help a little, like propping up your bed and avoiding hot drinks in the evening, but I found omeprazole was the only thing that soothed it.

[squirre1]

Ditto, I can cope with the days but the nights are awful. I've tried propping myself up, not eating after 5 but even water gives me heartburn. I've been getting through bottles of gaviscon. I've never had heartburn this bad!

[mummyneedinganswers]

I'm on 40mg of omeprzole since the start I used to to take lanzoprazole before pregnancy but they changed it as they said omeprazole was the safer one to use in pregnancy x

[RockerMummy184]

I'm on omeprazole and ranitidine and although the Dr's can't guarantee it's safe (as with any drugs in pregnancy), the research that they have available would suggest that it is safe. I also took it with DS and he's absolutely fine.

Also I think that the tiny risk is worth taking when it comes to being able to keep food/fluids down, giving my babies nutrition and keeping well hydrated.

[ajohnson1991]

I took 20mg a day for last 4 months of pregnancy and DS was happy and healthy

[tinyme135]

I work in a pharmacy and omeprazole is fine to take :) I'm also on it and I'm a big fat worrier and wouldn't take it if I knew it would harm the little one.

[squirre1]

Thank you! That makes me feel so much better

[Skiptonlass]

Very good safety profile - both this and ranitidine.

After they've been released onto the market, drugs are still monitored for adverse events - so far (and these drugs have been used by an awful lot of pregnant women for a decent length of time) there's been nothing bad show up.

I take ranitidine (had loads lying around) for the godawful heartburn my darling baby gives me, and I'd not hesitate to take olmeprazole either.

[TenForward82]

I've been on 40mg omeprazole for years due to a hiatus hernia. I've been told it's safe in pregnancy. Sick of uneducated doctor peddling their scaremongering bull.

You'll be fine, baby will be fine.

[Kim82]

It can't be that bad for the baby, my 12 month old is on 20mg a day for her acid reflux and she's been taking it since she was around 4/5 months old! I'm sure your baby will be fine.

[CakeInMyFace]

I was refused ranitidine in boots, they wouldn't sell it to me and the pharmacist told me its a no for pregnant women. But then Ive seen loads of women on mumsnet taking it. Anyone know why they would refuse to sell it to me? Made me very cross! Am 35 weeks and heartburn is awful. Can't tolerate gaviscon so been stuck on rennies+

[TenForward82]

Get your doctor to call the pharmacy, that's outrageous!

[AboutTimeIChangedMyNameAgain]

They're probably not allowed to sell it over the counter but I expect you could get it from your GP on prescription.

I took omeprazole with both pregnancies and it was a life saver!

[RockerMummy184]

Cake I have had EXACTLY the same peoblem when buying over the counter after I forgot to pick a pack up to take to work. Also with co-codamol even though I am prescribed codeine.
I can't understand it! It's obviously one of these 'suing culture, must cover our back' situations!

[RockerMummy184]

The best thing is, my prescriptions are for 300mg ranitidine and 60mg codeine, the over the counter ones are 75mg and 8mg!!

[CakeInMyFace]

I was very angry afterwards, I'm a grown woman after all and was made to feel awful. Might just get DH to go buy some on my behalf!

[tinyme135]

cake it's because even though it's safe for pregnant women to take when prescribed by the doctor, the company that sells it over the counter (being boots or zantac) they're covering their backs if the worst happens and they don't licence it for pregnant ladies.

It's frustrating I know but it's just the company protecting their own backs.

[unlucky83]

I took ranitidine during pregnancy with DD2 and she is fine.
(Now take lansoprazole but didn't before being pregnant)
I took aspirin daily for years - and had to continue to take it (under consultant care and with blood thinning injections) during both pregnancies. Didn't get it on prescription before because it was cheaper to get it OTC. Even with free prescription I didn't bother with a script, it is cheap anyway. I know there is a minuscule risk to the baby but in my case the risk of not taking it was much much higher.
Anyway with DD2 I had a pharmacist initially refuse to sell it to me when pregnant - when I insisted she told me in great detail the damage I could do to my baby. Really not helpful - I did discuss it again with my consultant later as she upset me so much. (Think if I hadn't already had DD1 I would have been even more worried)
Worse I was picking up my prescription for blood thinners at the same time and she then told me I couldn't take aspirin with them -and the associated dangers. I know she was actually trying to be helpful - but it wasn't. I think as soon as I said the consultant had told me to take them she should have left it.
(She did sell it to me in the end - after I had said I would just buy it from Tescos instead... )

[unlucky83]

Have to add - I am talking about low dose aspirin (75-81mg od) not painkilling dose levels.
As far as I am aware low dose aspirin in early pregnancy is safe - it seems to work as a preventative ....it is during latter stages than it is less so. Both for the mother (bleeds) and for the same reason it isn't safe to give to children (Reye's syndrome). It also isn't recommended during bf (which I did for both mine).