Derek should be used for as long as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Derek is usually considered to be safe when taken in the recommended dose and duration. If Derek is used for more than 3 months, certain long term side effects may be seen. The most important of these is low magnesium levels in your blood which may make you feel tired, confused, dizzy, shaky or dizzy. You may also have muscle twitches or irregular heartbeat. If the use is further prolonged for more than a year, you may have an increased risk of bone fractures, stomach infections, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, osteoporosis, and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Yes, long term use of Derek can cause thinning of bones, which is called osteoporosis. Derek decreases the calcium absorption leading to calcium deficiency, and increases the risk of bone fractures of hip, wrist or spine. Take an adequate amount of calcium in your diet or take the supplements as advised by your doctor to avoid any bone problems.

No, do not stop taking Derek before completing the full course of treatment. You will start to feel better before your treatment is complete.

Yes, vitamin D can be taken along with Derek. Vitamin D is generally advised to be taken as a supplement with Derek as the long term use of Derek decreases the absorption of calcium and may lead to calcium deficiency. This can lead to osteoporosis (thinning of bones) and increase the risk of bone fractures like hip, wrist and spine fractures. Please consult your doctor to know about ways to prevent this.

Derek starts working within an hour of taking it and shows maximum benefit within two to four hours. You should start feeling better within 2 to 3 days but it may take upto 4 weeks to relieve your symptoms significantly.

No, alcohol intake is not advised with Derek. Alcohol itself does not affect the working of Derek, but it can increase the acid production. This may further cause worsening of your symptoms.

Derek is used for the treatment of stomach and intestinal ulcers (gastric and duodenal ulcers), reflux esophagitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It works by reducing the amount of acid made by your stomach and thus relieves your symptoms. Derek also prevents acidity associated with use of painkillers and stress ulcers in critically ill people. It is also used to treat a disease associated with excessive acid production in the stomach known as Zollinger Ellison syndrome (ZES).

Derek is best taken 1 hour before a meal. You should avoid spicy and fatty foods while taking this medicine. It also helps to cut down on caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and cola. Alcohol intake should also be avoided as it may worsen your symptoms.

You make see better results if you make certain dietary and lifestyle changes while taking Derek. Exercise regularly and eat healthy. You can consult your dietician to get a diet chart that suits you best. Eat at least 3 hours before sleeping to reduce the chances of aggravation of your symptoms at night. You should avoid spicy and fatty foods while taking this medicine. Refrain from caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and cola. Alcohol intake and smoking should also be avoided as it may worsen your symptoms.

Long-term use of Derek can lower magnesium levels in patients taking multiple daily doses for 3 months or longer. Get your magnesium levels checked at regular intervals. Tell your doctor if you experience seizures (fits), dizziness, abnormal or fast heartbeat, jitteriness, jerking movements or shaking (tremors), muscle weakness, spasms of the hands and feet, cramps, muscle aches.

It is best to take Derek before your breakfast. If you are taking two doses, take it in the morning and evening. Derek is more effective when it is taken an hour before your food.

Yes, you can take antacids along with Derek. Take it 2 hours before or after you take Derek.

Derek is used along with antibiotics for the treatment of H.Pylori infection. It works by decreasing stomach acid volume and decreasing breakdown and washout of antibiotics leading to an increased antibiotic concentration and tissue penetration. It also helps in the symptomatic relief by decreasing associated acidity, reflux, and heartburn.