I believe it should only be taken for a short period of time.
My mother-in-law has been taking it for years, and we can’t convince her she doesn’t need it, any longer.
Sadly, as we age, our stomachs stop making much gastric acid, so further blocking it is just not good.
Strangely believe it, after I quit taking it, I realized that I no longer need it.
Minor gastric distress can be eliminated with tums as required