Both prescription Prilosec and Prilosec OTC contain the same active ingredient, omeprazole, which effectively stops acid production. Prescription Prilosec treats diseases that require diagnosis and supervision by a doctor. Prilosec OTC treats only symptoms of frequent heartburn.
Prilosec OTC is a delayed-release 20mg tablet, taken once a day every 24 hours for 14 days before eating. You should not take it for more than 14 days or repeat a day course more often than every 4 months unless directed by a doctor. Prilosec OTC is not intended for immediate relief of occasional heartburn. Prilosec OTC may take 1 to 4 days for full effect, although some people get complete relief of symptoms within 24 hours.
When you are taking Prilosec OTC, it is especially important that your health care provider know if you are taking any of the following:.
Frequent heartburn is caused by stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus and happens 2 or more times a week. Omeprazole is a Proton Pump Inhibitor PPI , which is a class of drugs used to treat frequent heartburn symptoms by reducing the acid in the stomach that can cause heartburn.
Omeprazole works by binding to the acid-producing pumps in the stomach and turning them off, blocking the acid at the source. It starts working as early as an hour after taking the first dose but may take days for full effect.
Also, some researchers have suggested that omeprazole interacts with clopidogrel. Taking a high dosage of omeprazole can reduce the levels of clopidogrel in the blood, putting people at risk of blood clots. People taking phenytoin or digoxin and omeprazole together may be at risk of toxicity. Doctors will monitor blood samples of phenytoin or digoxin closely when both drugs are required. Some drugs need exposure to an acidic environment before the intestine can absorb them.
By reducing the acidity of the stomach contents, omeprazole may interfere with the following drugs:. Existing research does not demonstrate that omeprazole is harmful during pregnancy.
Studies from Sweden and Denmark showed that the chance of birth defects in women using omeprazole was similar to the usual birth defect rate in the population.
Researchers have found limited evidence to suggest that omeprazole is present in breast milk. The effects of infant exposure to omeprazole are also unclear. The cost of omeprazole depends on the strengths. The table below provides the prices of each form and strength of 30 days of omeprazole taken once daily.
Other acid suppressing medications include the histamine2 receptor blockers H2 receptor blockers. These medications also reduce stomach acid but use a different pathway than PPIs. H2 receptor blockers typically work more quickly than PPIs, but their effects only last for 4—10 hours. Omeprazole is an effective medication to reduce acid levels in the stomach and treat a variety of stomach related conditions. People can also use OTC omeprazole to treat frequent heartburn.
People typically tolerate omeprazole well, but there are some risks when they use it for long periods of time. Doctors should follow up with people taking PPIs to make sure the drug is working and determine when the person can stop taking the drug. If someone needs long term treatment, doctors need to routinely monitor their vitamin B and magnesium levels and suggest supplements as needed. Heartburn and nausea are both common digestive issues. They can occur together, especially if a person experiences indigestion.
Learn more in this…. Acid reflux is very common and occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the food pipe, where it causes heartburn. This mixture must be swallowed immediately with a glass of cool water. The applesauce should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. Do not chew or crush the pellets. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.
If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
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