Many sjoggies, myself included, have issues with GERD, or gastric reflux disease. And so every morning about an hour before breakfast, I pop my Prilosec capsule. It does a great job of reducing my heartburn and esophageal reflux symptoms.
Today, however, the FDA released a warning alerting consumers of these type of products to an increased risk of contracting severe diarrhea caused by the C. difficele bacteria. The warning extends to both prescribed and over the counter versions of these drugs which include not only Prilosec and it's generic equivilant omeprazole, but also Nexium, Prevacid, and Protonix, their generic equivilants, and several other PPI type drugs.
If you are taking these drugs and develop significant watery diarrhea, an elevated temperature, and abdominal pain, talk to your doctor. C. difficele caused diarrhea can cause serious intestinal problems if untreated.
For more information, visit the FDA website at: www.fda.gov
Thursday, February 9, 2012
C. Difficele and Proton Pump Inhibitors
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4 comments:
thank you for this information, Julia! I have been on Omeprazole for about 3 years, after my gastroenterologist discovered that my Sjogren's had led to Barrett's Esophagus, caused by years of heartburn and dryness. Now I must have endoscopies yearly...anyways, I have suffered from diarrhea from time to time, so I will be certain to point this out to my doctor. Again, thank you for all that you do!
My son had a total colectomy as an infant due to Hirschsprungs Disease and he is on prevacid for his reflux. I shall have to ask his doctor if he can still get C. diff if he hasn't got a colon. We have to be so careful with diarrhea because he dehydrates so quickly. One more thing to worry about I guess.
Good to know! Thanks for sharing! I've been Omneprozole for three year thanks to GERD. I will definitely be aware of this from now on. As if we don't have enough side effects, to worry about, from our drugs?
You will know if it is cdiff, stinks like nothing you have ever smelled before, your stomach heaves before your nose has registered it. The poo can be acidic coloured, anything from tan colour to acid yellow, explosive, I believe it is also spread by spores. Would be interesting to know if people with a crazy immune system are vulnerable as cdiff usually goes for people whose immune system is shot eg after broad spectrum antibiotics.
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