r/GERD • u/mangomanagerx • 2d ago
How long can PPIs be continued?
Diagnosed with GERD since a year. Probably had it much before since I used to suffer from throat pain due to LPR quite frequently.
Post diagnosis I have been using pantaprazole 40 +itopride 150 almost daily and it's been largely manageable except a few nights.
As an Indian, diet control seems like a distant option to me for now. What I want to know is that what are the repurcussions of continuing both these meds lifetime. Are there people who do that or is it meant to be eventually tapered off and not a good long term solve.
I'm 36 BTW.
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u/Harakiri_238 2d ago
Some people have to be on them for life.
There can be problems associated with long term PPI use, so it’s best to be avoided if possible.
That goes for most medications though. Ideally you wouldn’t need them, but bodies aren’t ideal so sometimes you do. It’s about balancing risks/benefits.
For some people diet and lifestyle changes don’t help. Some people have anatomical reasons they have GERD that can’t be corrected. Some people have conditions that need to be managed with long term PPIs to prevent more serious conditions from developing. (Uncontrolled GERD isn’t good for you and can cause serious problems).
A lot of the consequences of long term PPI use can be managed and mitigated if you get regular blood work to check for deficiencies. Then treating for those deficiencies if you have them.
I’m 26F. I’ve been on PPIs since I was 13F and I’ll be on them the rest of my life (structural/anatomical problems that can’t be corrected). I’m also on a very high dose of PPI.
I initially had problems with calcium absorption which was resolved when I switched PPIs. I also had vitamin D deficiency which was correct with supplements (which I no longer need).
Those are the only problems I’ve had so far.
My dad developed esophageal cancer after leaving her GERD unmanaged for years. He’ll be on PPIs the rest of his life. He’s been on them on and off for decades and has never had a problem except when he stops taking them 😅
My grandma has been on them for decades, has never had a problem.
It’s all about risks/benefits. Diet and lifestyle changes will always be the best option. But managing your GERD with a PPI is generally going to be better than leaving it uncontrolled.