DEAR DR. GOTT: Because of acid reflux that I couldn’t control through diet and over-the-counter medicines, my doctor had me on 40 milligrams of Nexium daily. I took this for many years, but now my insurance no longer covers it, and I cannot afford to pay out of pocket. Now my doctor has suggested using over-the-counter Prilosec. The daily dose is 20 milligrams, and the package states that it should be taken for only 14 days at a time.
When I called my doctor about this, he said it was OK to take it daily just as I had taken the Nexium. My question to you: Is it really OK? Should I also be increasing the dosage to 40 milligrams or leave it at 20? [Read more...]
Talk to doctor about meds
February 13, 2010 By
Daily Column
July 28, 2008 By
DEAR DR. GOTT:
Your advice to the woman with the distended stomach, lower back pain, aching legs, and constant tiredness in which you suspected Cushing Syndrome may very well be correct. However, there is another possibility. These are also side effects from the drug Nexium which she claimed to be taking. I had symptoms just like hers while I was taking it. I am now on generic Prilosec and my stomach is going back to normal and my tiredness is slowly lifting.
When the patent on Prilosec was about to expire the formula was “tweaked” just enough to receive a new patent which was then marketed as Nexium. This “tweaking” caused the Nexium to have some side effects that the Prilosec did not.
I would like to be off the medication but diet, exercise and over-the-counter antacids don’t work. Do you have any suggestions? [Read more...]