acid reflux prevacid and halitosis

[bodfin]

Hi I have had GERD for a few years now. I've never had halitosis.  Recently my reflux started acting up, so i doubled my prevacid.  I'm not sure what is causing my very horrid halitosis.  I have figured out it is not dental related.  In fact when I burp, I can feel the hot yucky gas coming up from my stomach.  A recent google showed that prevacid can cause a side effect of halitosis.  Other comments insist it is the GERD but I am not entirely convinced.  In my opinion, neither one is new to me, but the halitosis is.   I suppose the only way to figure it out would be to go off the prevacid.  What is the consensus out there?


This discussion is related to Is my halitosis (bad breath) caused by GERD or the PREVACID?.

[GhostOf1901]

What you're feeling is common if you're taking large doses of PPI's. I've had the same issue as you. Chances are what you're smelling is undigested food. Since your acid is so suppressed, you may have undigested food hanging out in your stomach. When gas is released, it carries the odor of the undigested food. I'll guarantee you if you ease back on your Prevacid you'll notice that this side effect is gone. Of course, the heartburn may then be back. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

(Note that this does not preclude CalGal's statement from being true.)

You may want to see about either cutting back on your medication (since the severity may be cyclical) or supplementation with HCL. Also, you may wish to try something called "Heartburn Free with ROH10" by a company called Enzymatic Therapy during those times when your heartburn kicks up.

[CalGal]

Have you been tested for H. pylori? If you haven't, do so as the presence of the bacteria is suggested to contribute to bad breath.