Omeprazole

Omeprazole is a medication for heartburn that helps with frequent acid reflux and other conditions. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid or bile travels up the oesophagus, leading to irritation and heartburn.

GORD can result from several factors. It's often connected to the weakening of the muscles between your stomach and oesophagus. Other causes include increased pressure from straining and coughing, food remaining in the stomach longer than usual, excess stomach acid, and stomach acid lingering in the oesophagus. This condition can lead to various symptoms, such as stomach pain.

Omeprazole is the active ingredient and generic name for Losec. It is available as a gastro-resistant capsule, a tablet, or an oral suspension fluid.

This page explains how Omeprazole is used to treat GORD, the primary condition it addresses.

However, Omeprazole is a generic medicine that can also be used to:

Omeprazole is a medication known as a proton pump inhibitor. It works by targeting small membranes in the stomach lining called proton pumps. These pumps are responsible for producing and releasing the acid that helps digest food. If you have GORD, your stomach produces excess acid, leading to discomfort.

When you take Omeprazole, which is a type of proton pump inhibitor, it works by blocking your proton pumps. This reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes, helping to ease symptoms of GORD and stop acid reflux.

Omeprazole is available in both tablet and capsule forms, with doses of 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg. Additionally, it comes as an oral suspension fluid in concentrations of 2mg/ml and 4mg/ml.

The amount of Omeprazole you need will depend on the reason you're taking it and how severe your symptoms are. Typically, treatment lasts for about four weeks, and you'll usually start with a low dose. If your issue persists, you may need to continue taking Omeprazole for a longer period.

The amount of Omeprazole you need will vary based on what it's being used to treat and how severe your symptoms are. For example, the dose for stomach ulcers will differ from the dose for acid reflux.

The dose changes if you're taking it to prevent something rather than to treat it.

For more details about the right dosage and how long you should take your medicine, have a look at the patient information leaflet included with it. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If you've been on a low dose of Omeprazole for GORD and are still having difficulties, have a chat with your clinician about possibly increasing your dosage.

There are other treatments for GORD or for reducing stomach acid, but not all of them are available as a liquid. So, Omeprazole might be a good choice if you find it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules.

Omeprazole is a generic medication, so it's typically more affordable than branded options.

Acid reflux is usually treated with proton pump inhibitors, which help by reducing the acid your stomach makes. These medications can have different active ingredients, so if one doesn't seem to help, you can try another.

Losec is a brand name for Omeprazole capsules or tablets, which are used for heartburn. It has the same active ingredient as Omeprazole, but it typically costs more. Both should work similarly and are used to treat the same conditions.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that Omeprazole can quickly and consistently reduce heartburn symptoms. It also effectively treats other symptoms of GORD, such as stomach pain from excess acid.

Patients who took a daily dose of Omeprazole experienced no heartburn symptoms in:

Another study

revealed that 86% of patients with severe swelling of the food pipe (oesophagitis) healed within 12 weeks after taking 40mg Omeprazole.

You can take low doses of Omeprazole for a short time without a prescription. However, if you need a higher dose or plan to use it for a longer period, you'll require a prescription. This ensures the treatment is suitable for you.

The most frequent side effects of Omeprazole, occurring in more than 1 in 100 people, include:

Serious side effects from Omeprazole are uncommon, but it's important to be aware of them. If you experience any of the following, contact a doctor straight away:

On rare occasions, some individuals may have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after taking Omeprazole. If you notice any signs of a serious allergic reaction, like sudden swelling of your lips, mouth, throat, or tongue, or if you find it difficult to swallow or breathe, call 999 immediately.

To see all the possible side effects, have a look at the patient information leaflet included with your medication.

If you use Omeprazole for more than three months, it might lead to a drop in the magnesium levels in your blood. This can result in symptoms such as:

If you experience any of these symptoms, please inform your clinician.

Using Omeprazole for a year or longer may raise your risk of gut infections, vitamin B12 deficiency, and bone fractures. If you're on Omeprazole for an extended period, your clinician will schedule regular check-ups to keep an eye on your health and determine if you still need the medication.

You can, but it's best to steer clear if you can. This is because alcohol raises acid levels in your stomach, which might make your symptoms worse.

Omeprazole is safe to use during pregnancy, but it's better to manage your symptoms without medication if you can. For instance, if you're dealing with indigestion, try having smaller, more frequent meals and steer clear of fatty or spicy foods. It's also wise to avoid eating while lying down.

It's not safe to use Omeprazole with some HIV medicines, such as nelfinavir or rilpivirine. Similarly, you should avoid taking it if you're on an antiplatelet medication called clopidogrel. If you have any questions or worries, have a chat with your clinician.