Omeprazole is indicated for use to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems such as:
- Acid reflux
- Ulcers
Acid reflux
This is a common condition that features a burning pain. It is also known as heartburn in the lower chest area. It happens when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is diagnosed when acid reflux occurs more than twice a week. Acid reflux is when some of the acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus and the gullet. In which it moves food down from the mouth. Despite the name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart. The stomach contains hydrochloric acid, a strong acid that helps break down food. It also protects against pathogens such as bacteria.
Ulcers
This condition causes painful sores in the stomach lining. It occurs when a thick layer of mucus that protects your stomach from digestive juices is reduced. This allows the digestive acids to eat away at the tissues that line the stomach, causing an ulcer. This condition may be easily cured, but they can become severe without proper treatment.
This medication may be also be used for the treatment of:
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome – it is where the stomach produces too much acid
- Dyspepsia – a condition that causes sour stomach, heartburn, belching, and indigestion
Omeprazole helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus. It helps prevent ulcers and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus. This drug relieves symptoms such as:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heartburn
- Persistent cough
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitors. This lessens the amount of acid produced in the stomach. This product is supplied as a delayed-release capsule. Omeprazole is available in the dosage forms of 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this prescription.
How does Omeprazole work?
Omeprazole works by stopping the proton pumps from working. This reduces the production of stomach acid. Proton pumps are found on cells that line the stomach. These are used by cells to produce stomach acid.
By lessening stomach acid, this drug can help relieve indigestion symptoms as well as painful heartburn symptoms. In which it is caused by excess acid flowing back into the food pipe. It allows the food pipe to heal if it has been damaged by the acid. By reducing the amount of acid in the stomach and upper intestine, Omeprazole allows peptic ulcers to heal and helps stop them from coming back.
Omeprazole helps protect your gut if you are taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller like diclofenac. These painkillers stop your stomach from producing prostaglandins that normally protect your stomach lining from stomach acid. This medication helps to minimize the amount of stomach acid that can irritate your stomach while you’re taking these painkillers.
This medication begins to work depending on how and why you are taking it. You should get some relief from indigestion symptoms and heartburn right away or at least in the first few days after taking a dose of Omeprazole. However, you may need to keep taking Omeprazole for a few weeks some conditions may require you to take this drug on a long-term, basis. Either it is to keep symptoms under control or to avoid the condition from coming back.
How to use Omeprazole?
This medication is to be taken regularly for the best benefit. The dosage is based on your condition, age, weight, and response to the treatment. You should take this prescription exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than it is given by your doctor.
Omeprazole is taken by mouth usually once a day or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the medicine as a whole with a full glass of water without crushing or breaking the capsule. Doing so can release the entire drug at once which increases the risk of side effects. Always remember to take this medication at the same time and in the same way each day.
What are the side effects of Omeprazole?
Common side effects:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Gas
- Stomach pain
- Fever constipation
- Fever
- Cold symptoms (sore throat, sneezing, or stuffy nose)
Stop using this medicine and call your doctor if you have these side effects:
- New or unusual pain in your wrist, hip, thigh, or back
- Severe stomach pain
- Diarrhea that is watery or bloody
- Kidney problems (blood in your urine, little or no urination, rapid weight gain, and swelling)
- New or worsening symptoms of lupus (skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight and joint pain)
- Low magnesium (muscle cramps or spasms, dizziness, cough, or irregular heartbeats)
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
- Difficulty or trouble breathing
- Hives or itching
- Swelling of your lips, face, throat, or tongue
Precautions
- Do not take this medication if you are allergic to it. This drug may contain some ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction.
- This drug may increase your risk of severe diarrhea. Call your doctor at once if you have stomach pain, watery diarrhea, and a fever that won’t go away.
- Taking this drug for three months or longer can cause low magnesium levels in your body. Your risk is higher if you take Omeprazole for a year or longer.
- Long-term use of this medicine can cause fundic gland polyps. These are growths on the lining of your stomach that can become cancerous. To help prevent these polyps, you should use this drug for a short time as possible.
- This may change the way your liver works. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may lessen your dose.
- Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
- If you are breastfeeding women, consult your doctor first before taking a dose of this drug.
- If you have your special dietary instructions, continue your diet unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that children, pets, and other people can’t consume them.