I was on Prilosec for 13 years. It turns out that it has some serious side effects from long term use (dementia and kidney failure). I decided to get off the stuff before I was affected. Quitting cold turkey was not an option for me, too painful. I had to gradually reduce the dosage. Cutting the tablets in half will not help due to the way the pill works. You can try to pull apart the capsules and pour some of the ingredient out, didn’t work for me.
Here’s how I did it. Increase the amount of time between doses by increments of 30 minutes each day. This keeps your stomach from producing a fuck load of acid as you level out. Example:
Day 1 dose at 0400
2 – 0430
3 – 0530
4 - 0700
5 – 0900 and so on.
I got completely off the pills 3 days ago and still have no heartburn. I had to use Rolaids just a couple of times during the process, but in no time was I in serious pain.
Hope this helps someone.
Wow, 13 years? I did not know it cause more acid to be produced if you go off. I took it for about 4 months, then quit and changed diet and stopped eating after 8pm and haven't had an issue.
Glad to hear you're off.
Is that a PPI? I was reading no about some of the long term side effects in a study not too long ago and was amazed. I take ranitidine daily for heartburn for the last 6 or so years. I should try to control it with my diet, but life gets in the way sometimes. 
Shinsplint - Is that a PPI? I was reading no about some of the long term side effects in a study not too long ago and was amazed. I take ranitidine daily for heartburn for the last 6 or so years. I should try to control it with my diet, but life gets in the way sometimes.
Yes it's a PPI. Army doctor put me on it for the Gerd. I was young and dumb. Didn't realize I could just quit drinking 4 or 5 mountain dews every night.
WidespreadPanic -
Wow, 13 years? I did not know it cause more acid to be produced if you go off. I took it for about 4 months, then quit and changed diet and stopped eating after 8pm and haven't had an issue.
Glad to hear you're off.
Yeah, it's my understanding that your stomach overcompensates the acid once the inhibitor is gone. Vicious cycle if you've been on it for an extended period of time.
TTT once in case anyone needs the help.
I was on it for 8 years and quit for the same reasons. Went cold turkey but only after seriously modifying my diet for a couple weeks.
I gave up coffee, all fried foods and all carbonated beverages, including beer. Also red wine. I'll have an occasional glass of whiskey, but drink a lot less alcohol. Added a lot of green leafy vegetables and eat much smaller portions. The first 2 weeks of cold turkey no Prilosec I had moderate heartburn, but it was manageable. 2 months out I am pretty good. Occasionally I will pop a Pepcid if I have a particularly fatty meal, but otherwise have managed my acid reflux with just the diet. 
oldnslow - I was on it for 8 years and quit for the same reasons. Went cold turkey but only after seriously modifying my diet for a couple weeks.
I gave up coffee, all fried foods and all carbonated beverages, including beer. Also red wine. I'll have an occasional glass of whiskey, but drink a lot less alcohol. Added a lot of green leafy vegetables and eat much smaller portions. The first 2 weeks of cold turkey no Prilosec I had moderate heartburn, but it was manageable. 2 months out I am pretty good. Occasionally I will pop a Pepcid if I have a particularly fatty meal, but otherwise have managed my acid reflux with just the diet.
Solid advice. Diet is very relevant.