Any side effects from reflux meds?

[pevie]

I hope someone can help. We have been through the mill trying to manage my LOs reflux, tried Gaviscon, ranitidine and omeprazole (losec). Nothing has really helped. She has been on and off omeprazole and reflux did seem to abate a little although she was not more settled generally. we began to think that omeprazole was actually making some of her symptoms such as constipation and wind worse. A new paediatrician recently doubled the dose and she has been chronic. He wanted us to try it for 2 weeks but we're a week in and I dont think we can survive. She can be up and down anyway but this seems like too much of a coincidence. Anyone any experiences of this?

Hi,

This is the information about omeprazole from the children's formulary generally used by the NHS. The side effects list is at the bottom. Apologies for the long post but thought you might like to read it all. It is available on www.bnfc.org. You have to register but is free to access the info. I took out the less common side effects section from this post.

I have read somewhere else about babies being windy and unsettled as a side effect of Omeprazole. My DS is on 10mg a day and is quite windy esp at night but is generally more settled than before so will continue. Hope it is of some use to you. You have my sympathy it is a horible thing for the LO's and very draining for us.

1.3.5 Proton pump inhibitors
The proton pump inhibitors omeprazole and lansoprazole inhibit gastric acid secretion by blocking the hydrogen-potassium adenosine triphosphatase enzyme system (the ?proton pump?) of the gastric parietal cell. Omeprazole is currently only licensed in children for the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease with severe symptoms. Lansoprazole is not licensed for use in children, but may be considered when the available formulations of omeprazole are unsuitable.

Side-effects
Side-effects of the proton pump inhibitors include gastro-intestinal disturbances (including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation), headache, and dizziness.

Thanks. Had read this on leaflet with it I think so was aware it was a possibility but paediatrician said he had never really seen this. Interesting your LO is windy, is this more than before? My Lo definately more settled in day but the wind at night has made her unbearable so am not sure if it is worth it!!!! We are also on 20 mg, she is 11 mths. Maybe high dose is making it really bad!!!!!!

Interesting, my peadiatrician did not recommend increasing to over 10mg even if his symptoms deteriorated. However he is relatively settled so probably isnt an issue.

On the nights he isnt settled he is often farting, but is difficult to say whether the meds made it worse. Could you try 15mg as a compromise and see what happens?

If gastro intestinal side effects are the first in a list then probably fairly common.

My LO had bad constipation with the Gaviscon so gave that up a long time ago and unless I give him plenty fluid he still seems prone to it.

Did you try Domperidone?

My LO has been on Ranitidine and Domperidone since 8 weeks (she's 16 mos now) and has never been constipated - except when we ran out of Domperidone and she was on Ranitidine alone.

As far as I'm aware, Domperidone is usually given in conjunction with Ranitidine (not sure about Omeprazole, my only experience of that was on me during pregnancy, and I was constipated anyway) in infants?

Domperidone can be given with either Ranitidine or Omeprazole. DS was prescribed some to be taken with the Omep but as things improved I didnt try it.

Have you seen www.littlerefluxers.co.uk.

If you wanted to ask the same question there are a lot mums with LO's on Omeprazole on the site.

Not to knock advice here of course- usually very good, just might be another source of info.