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Discussion on Long term use of omeprazole
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Member:
aaring
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Posted on Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 - 7:59 pm:
I've been told that chronic, long term Gastrogard (or Ulcergard) administration may have some undesirable effects on the horse's GI system.....are you aware of this? I know the drug omeprazole actually inhibits the production of HCl in the stomach. While an excess of HCl present in the stomach (due to the horse spending long periods of time not eating) can cause ulcers, I'm told the presence of HCl is also a necessary component for the digestion and absorption of protein and other nutrients. Therefore, a lack of HCl over long periods of time would upset the pH balance of the gastric contents, resulting in potential digestion/absorption inefficiencies.
Dr.O--do you think this is a problem at the maintainance dose of 1mg/kg?
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Member:
ekaufman
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Posted on Sunday, Dec 16, 2007 - 11:02 am:
Hello,
There was a study on people that showed long term use of omeprazole had an immunosuppressive (sp?) result, with the associated increase vulnerability to human crud. If there's a study that shows anything with horses, I haven't seen it (and we all know that Merial didn't pay for that research!).
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Dec 17, 2007 - 6:19 am:
Hello awa,
the use of any medication, even one time, has possible undesirable effects and there are a lot of such problems that are rarely reported in humans. But I cannot find any acute or chronic problems associated with omeprazole use that are reported in horses at this time.
Concerning the immune problem Elizabeth mentions I am uncertain about a immunomodulating effect of omeprazole. However our first line of defense against diseases of the digestive system is our acidic stomach and it's ability to kill microbes. Using a drug to promote less acidity is likely to decrease our resistance. However again no problem have yet to be reported in horses.
DrO
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