Erosion of the food pipe is a medical problem linked with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (also known as GERD). You may also encounter this condition when there is an excessive build-up of stomach acids. Drugs forming part of a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are commonly used for treating such problems. Vencid is a popularly prescribed med to this effect; the 40 mg dosage form is widely used to treat acid reflux/heartburn and other gastric ailments. But, what are the side effects of vencid? It is important to know more about this, prior to taking this proton pump inhibiting med.
Your stomach produces acids to make foods get digested. When these acids are made in larger quantities, you are likely to face a few medical conditions. These include ulcers and rupture of the inner walls of your abdomen, which in turn leads to a few severe discomforts. Reputed bodies such as the College of Gastroenterology estimate nearly 45 million (or more) are likely to experience heartburn at any given point in time. If you are a smoker and are taking heavy meals (overweight), you are more likely to be affected by heartburn or acid reflux. Our body has a valve at the rear side of the food pipe; this is called a sphincter. Its key function is to let foods enter your stomach. As one turns old, the elasticity of this valve reduces; as a result, this valve opens backward – and thus lets contents of the tummy enter your food pipe.
Use of vencid for acid reflux/heartburn
Vencid works by inhibiting a few enzymes, which are responsible for making gastric acids. It belongs to a genre of meds known as proton pump inhibiting drugs. Intake of vencid triggers a reduction of acids in your tummy. Once this reduction is enabled, healing action starts – the ruptured inner walls/linings stand to get healed in due course of time. But, vencid is taken only for the short term. Long-term intake is associated with breakage of bones as well as the inadequacy of vitamins such as B12.
As an extended use, vencid is used for treating an excessive presence of a bacterial strand known as Heliobacter pylori (in short, H. pylori). As an imbalance of this bacterial strand may trigger diarrhea or indigestion, you are advised to take this drug strictly as per your doctor’s advice. In this light, intake of antibacterial drugs (i.e., antibiotics) or antidiarrheal meds may only have limited effects. In fact, such drugs are likely to aggravate the bacterial imbalance and may lead to non-stop spells of diarrhea and/or indigestion.
Side effects of vencid
This proton pump inhibiting med is likely to cause a few side effects. Commonly witnessed side effects and discomforts are feeling drowsy and/or dizzy, pain in joints, discomforts in the lower abdomen, migraine/headache, and indigestion. Most of these undesired side effects may disappear as you continue with your dosage plan. They may not show up once your system gets familiar with the active/key chemicals used in this med. In some remote instances, you are likely to witness a few severe discomforts – these include erratic heartbeats, convulsions, fits or epileptic seizures, shaking, and restlessness. A few users have also complained of cramping of abdominal muscles, renal dysfunction (those with prior kidney problems need to share details), and/or acute spells of loose stools or diarrhea.
Precautions needed to minimize the side effects of vencid
It is important to take this med under the clinical guidance and supervision of a qualified medical professional. Vencid can be taken either before or after a meal. It is a good practice to swallow this pill; never crush or chew it. It is also not a safe practice to split the pill into two. Never use this drug for more than 14 to 15 weeks. Long-term use can lead to severe side effects such as loss of bones, breaking of bones, and overall impairment of bone health. In some cases, overdose or a long-term intake can lead to breathing problems, an increase in blood pressure level, etc. Your doctor may provide supplements of vitamins (especially, B12) to minimize most of these adverse reactions. In this milieu, it is essential to remember that continuous intake of vencid can reduce the absorption of vitamin B12.
Women who are planning to get pregnant are advised to use birth control measures such as non-hormonal contraceptive methods – such as vaginal rings, skin patches, etc. Those who are already pregnant must avoid using this drug – especially, during the later stages of your pregnancy. Women who are nursing a newborn infant must be aware of the risks involved. Key chemicals of this drug are likely to enter into mother’s milk. Infants who feed on such milk may develop allergies and sleeping problems. Consult with your doctor if you have problems associated with stomach acids, and if you are nursing a baby.
In general, you are advised to talk to your treating physician/pharmacist about safe practices associated with the intake of vencid. Your doctor will advise you to take the drug at the same time every day; such a practice is likely to enhance the efficacy of vencid. In case you have missed a dose, never take a double dose of this med. Instead, skip the dose you missed and go ahead with the next dose. On the other hand, if you have skipped a series of doses, talk to your pharmacist to reschedule your dosage plan.
In sum, vencid is a proton pump inhibiting drug. It helps reduce acids in the gastric system. It is prescribed only for a few weeks. Continued intake of this med may cause bone loss, breakage of bones as well as reduced absorption of vitamin B12. You may experience breathing problems, erratic heartbeats, or hypertension; upon noticing one or more of these problems, consult with your doctor without much delay. If you are encountering indigestion or incessant spells of diarrhea, instead of taking antidiarrheal drugs, talk to a gastroenterologist (i.e., a GI specialist) for needful clinical guidance and input.