Prilosec Side Effects
Question
My son has been taking Prilosec for roughly two years to treat reflux. Recently, he is displaying extreme agitation and increased self-injurious behavior. Could this be a side effect of the Prilosec? Can you recommend alternatives to Prilosec?
Answer of our experts
This would be very unlikely to be caused by Prilosec. In fact, it is more likely to be due to too little Prilosec. You could switch to Prevacid. If there was no improvement, a 24-hour pH probe on medicine might demonstrate the correlation of irritability and low pH (too little acid neutralization), which would be a sign to increase the medication. Other things regarding the behavior need to be considered as well
DP/TK 7-13-10
Approved byClinical Advisory Board (CAB)
Answer is checked and valid for
Recommendation(s)
Reflux
R32
Consider always gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in any individual with CdLS owing to its frequency and wide variability in presentation, which includes challenging behaviour.
R33
Modification of nutrition and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are the first-line treatments of GORD. Anti-reflux medications need to be used to their maximum dosage. Surgical interventions for GORD should be limited to those individuals with CdLS in whom nutritional and medical treatments have been unsuccessful or airway safety is at risk.
R34
If GORD symptoms persist, endoscopy should be strongly considered whilst an individual with CdLS is still in paediatric care.
R35
Surveillance for Barrett’s Oesophagus needs to be discussed with and decided together with the family, balancing the potential gain in health and burden for the individual with CdLS.
