Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), which works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. It may also be used to treat stomach and esophagus problems and provide relief for heartburn and difficulty swallowing when there is excess acid in the stomach. In this article we discuss the side effects, uses, and dosage of omeprazole.
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor, or PPI, which works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. It can be used to treat a variety of stomach conditions like dyspepsia and also more serious conditions such as upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding.
Omeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems, as well as conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. It can relieve common symptoms such as heartburn, persistent cough, and trouble swallowing. Omeprazole may help treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a condition where the stomach produces too much acid, and dyspepsia, which causes heartburn, stomach pain, and ingestion.
Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. A class of drugs is a group of medications that function in a similar way.
Omeprazole works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. It does this by inhibiting the proton pump in your body. The proton pump works in the final step of acid production.
It is important to take omeprazole under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Your dosage of omeprazole may depend on a number of things including:
Dosage of oral capsules and tablets of omeprazole for the following conditions is as follows:
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome
Dosage of omeprazole powder for suspension for the following illnesses.
Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding
Gastric Ulcers
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Omeprazole does have potential side effects, some of which are more serious than others.
Common side effects of omeprazole include:
If mild, many of these side effects should go away within a few days.
Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms. More serious side effects of omeprazole may include:
Omeprazole comes with a number of warnings which may increase or worsen symptoms. Ask your doctor about these warnings before taking omeprazole.
Taking omeprazole may cause severe diarrhea. This may be caused by an infection in your intestine known as Clostridium difficile. Call your doctor right away if you experience severe diarrhea, watery diarrhea, or intense stomach pain.
People who take large doses of proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, may have an increased risk for bone fractures and breaks. These fractures are most likely to happen in your wrist, hip, or spine.
Taking omeprazole for three months or longer can decrease magnesium levels in your body. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of low magnesium including seizures, irregular heartbeat, shaking, or muscle weakness.
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
It can be used to treat certain conditions of the stomach and esophagus, as well as relieve symptoms such as heartburn, persistent cough, and trouble swallowing. Omeprazole can also treat dyspepsia and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
