I have been on Gerd meds for years. I have had to change several times due to side effects after time (Nexium) and some non effective. The Dr's say u shouldn't be on these for long term and took me off and I had terrible heartburn again. So they had me take Pepcid which is less harmful but too many breakthroughs. I am back on Omeprazole and they wanted it to be only a month or two, it's over 1 yr again. I don't think I can get off it. It's a double edge sword. I need to feel good in the moment so I am staying on it.