IS IT go through the kidney? I have high the caratinine, that is a hormone of the kidney, which is measure to verify if the kidney is working right.
Omeprazole - Could this drug damage the kidney?
Question posted by lydiamaldonado on 16 Dec 2012
Last updated on 13 August 2020
4 Answers
endlessPred
18 Dec 2012
I was. On omeprazole due to side effects from high dose prednisone. After about a year I asked the doctor if this was a good idea. My Pulmonologist changed me to Zantac. 20 mg am and 20 mg pm. I do have challenged kidneys and the GFR is seldom in range. However the complexity of autoimmune disease and the medications to treat them can mask much of this treatment.
Problems breathing can actually come from stomach acid spraying into the throat and this mist is breathed into the lungs harming lung tissue. Most docs don't know this. Therefore it is imperative to treat the condition. Often this is a balancing act with various drugs also being taken.
Please talk with your physician, see a GI specialist if not satisfied with the answer. Monthly or biweekly comprehensive blood draws will keep an eye on your kidneys and liver functions. Electrolytes as well. Be sure you are taking daily calcium supplements to protect your bones and it also calms the stomach acid.
AquariusAnneCA
17 Dec 2012
Hi Mary... I would like to respond with an answer that occurred to me, but not necessarily an answer to whether it affects the kidneys... the GI doctors I go to suggest you take the PPI's which includes omeprazole and never ever tell you there is a time limit. I agree 100% with you Mary, that this drug should not be taken more than
4 months but once you start taking it, it is like a miracle drug for heartburn, chest and back pain, etc. that to go off of it is very difficult. I took it for 12 years. No one told me to stop. I had terrible side affects and no one seemed to know it was from the omeprazole... shortness of breath, urinary tract infections, gout, neausea (sp), anemia, vitamin D deficiency, etc. I have finally weaned myself off of this drug and take a Zantac once a day, usually, in the morning upon awakening and then wait an hour to eat. I totally agree that no one should continue this drug unless the doctor finds a serious problem. This is only my opinion.
AquariusAnneCA
minniespearl
15 Sep 2015
My doctor did tell me the long-term effects were not known. I don't know for sure how long I've been taking omeprazole, but I'm guessing 10 years. I have arthritis in my knees, so when they swelled, I thought it was from the arthritis. I became unable to go up a flight of stairs Then I had a spell of reflux, and I had not been taking the Benefiber and Miralax that the doctor had told me to use. I used a natural food formula that my physical therapist told me about. I now suspect that the omeprazole contributed to the constipation that made the Miralax necessary. A CT was done, and kidney cysts, atelectasis, and diverticula were found. I was told nothing more; but I noticed a diagnosis of achlorhydria on my check-out sheet. I looked it up, and it means insufficient acid in the stomach, caused by drugs. The cure is to stop the meds. I called my doc's office to ask if I should continue taking it; the nurse's reply was 'yes.' I quit it anyway.
First, I cut the 40mg dose down to some 20 mg that I had. I peed every two hours throughout the night.I got the acid rebound, so I broke 20 mg capsules and took half. Later, I began to take Zantac. I lost 7.5 lbs in the first week, and my knee pain and swelling went away. I started to get hot flushes, starting after breakfast and then after every meal, and sometimes in between. My concern was as to whether the omeprazole could have contributed to the formation of kidney cysts, and whether they cysts might be causing the hot flushes. They are not as bad as I have heard they could be, but they shouldn't happen at all. I'm hoping they will stop after I've been off of Omeprazole a little longer. I cut my Zantac in half last night, since I don't know whether Zantac might make my legs swell again. I'm using Mylanta and Rolaids, along with DGL. I am minimizing fatty foods and spicy foods. It's tolerable. I drink coffee still, but less than normal. If it gives me acid, I take an antacid for it. I'm a little more concerned about the side effects now that I am 72 years old, and a relative is now in the hospital fighting for his life against cancer. I have a 'benign' nodule on my lung that is being followed each year. I hope to get along with the smallest dose of medicine possible, whatever it is, from now on. Thank you, all who have written to share your experiences.
Bobbitt
2 July 2017
I was on omeprazole for years till it went over the counter and my insurance would not pay for it anymore. Then they put me on Nexium for several years. When I had to have a hip replacement, they found I was borderline anemic, which was caused by no acid in my stomach to digest my food. I did some research and got off the stuff by eating a red delicious apple and a few spoonfuls of local honey every day. Only once in two weeks did I have to take the Nexium to get by. Not easy to do, but it worked. And apparently the Red Delicious is the only kind that works.
lisagayr
13 Aug 2020
Hi Aquarius Anne-- I was also on omeprazole for 7 years and started having weird symptoms 8 months ago. Nausea, no appetite, anxiety, shortness of breath, fatigue, and more. Did some research myself and figured out it was the omeprazole stopping my stomach from producing acid. Found out I had anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, magnesium deficiency and more. Got off omeprazole and started taking probiotics, digestive enzymes and raw almonds when I do have heartburn. Feeling much better now.
Inactive
16 Dec 2012
You are correct that creatine levels & also bun levels are used to measure kidney function, but also what is your GFR? That is also very important. Omeprazole is intended to be used for 14 days. You may have to use it up to a maximum of 4 months. It is metabolized by the liver & excreated through the kidneys. It is not known to affect the kidneys. More important is if you have liver disease, or osteoporosis as it does affect your bones. Without further knowlegde of your medical conditions, or medications, it is hard to answer your question completely. Best wishes to you...
lydiamaldonado
17 Dec 2012
What is GFR?? I am Spanish speaker trying to write English, so, some of the abbreviations used I don't understand.
Inactive
17 Dec 2012
Your GFR is another blood test that measures you total output from the kidneys. (hope I'm right) It gives you a number on a scale of the percentage that your kidneys are functoning. It should be more than 60. Mine is only 39, & 30 means dialysis time. Certain medications like the furosemide for blood pressure & water retention that I take are not good for this, but it's either take it or suffer from water retention & high blood pressure. As we age this number will go down some just because we are aging & things don't work as well as they used to, but if your creatine & bun are off I am surprised your doctor is not checking your GFR. It's an abbreviation for Glomeruler Filltration Rate.Diabetics some times run into trouble with this as diabetes can affect the kidneys. I hope this is what you are looking for... Mary
Inactive
16 Dec 2012
Hello lydiamaldonado,
Renal side effects have included elevations in serum creatinine, rare reports of interstitial nephritis, and renal failure.
Read more at: https://www.drugs.com/sfx/omeprazole-side-effects.html
I suggest you contact you Dr.
Inactive
16 Dec 2012
Excretion
80% Renal
20% Faecal
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Further information
- Omeprazole uses and safety info
- Omeprazole prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Omeprazole (detailed)
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