Do you often suffer from stomach problems and are stomach complaints part of your daily life? Omeprazole prevents the production of stomach acid and can provide relief for complaints such as heartburn, reflux, and swallowing problems. Then omeprazole can be a good solution to your problem. Omeprazole is a medicine for stomach problems that belong to the group of proton pump inhibitors.
Combining alcohol with omeprazole is not recommended, as alcoholic beverages irritate the stomach wall. How much of this antacid medicine can you take per day and what are the possible side effects?
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Omeprazole For Heartburn
Omeprazole is a drug belonging to the proton pump inhibitor group. Omeprazole has the function of protecting the stomach wall and inhibiting the development of stomach acid. Because the production of stomach acid is combated, omeprazole can provide a strong reduction of complaints in case of stomach problems. Omeprazole is available over the counter in low doses, while higher doses require a doctor’s prescription.
Usage And Dose
Upset Stomach
Stomach complaints that can be treated with this medicine include heartburn, heartburn, and stomach ulcer. But people with reflux, swallowing problems, and esophageal disorders can also benefit from omeprazole. Furthermore, this proton pump inhibitor is also prescribed for duodenal ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
How Much Omeprazole Per Day?
It depends on your specific situation to know how much omeprazole you can use per day. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate dose of this antacid. Usually, you take 20 to 40 mg omeprazole once or twice a day: in the morning to lay the foundation for the rest of the day, and possibly also in the evening.
In the treatment of duodenal ulcers or gastric ulcers, the treatment can be stopped when the ulcer disappears. But long-term use is also possible: then the aim is to prevent a recurrence of the symptoms.
Driving And Alcohol
Alcohol is a substance that irritates the stomach and intestines, so the conclusion is quickly made: alcohol is not recommended if you take medicines that are supposed to protect your stomach wall.
Driving while taking omeprazole will not be a problem in most cases, provided you do not experience dizziness or nausea. These symptoms are side effects that can occur with the use of omeprazole. If you think this will bother you so much that it can pose risks on the road, leave the car on the side.
Omeprazole Brand Names
Omeprazole is for sale under the following brand names, among others :
- Losec
- Buscozole
- Axanum
- Gastric Acid Inhibitor HTP Omeprazole 10mg
Effects
General Side Effects
Omeprazole can help people with stomach problems very well, but unfortunately, it can also have unpleasant side effects, especially at the beginning of the treatment. Examples of omeprazole side effects include:
- headache
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomit
- stomach ache
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- in rare cases: skin rash, fever, itching, hearing problems, vision problems, taste problems
Prolonged Use
It is striking that with the long-term use of omeprazole, certain side effects can occur that precisely trigger what the drug is trying to avoid, namely stomach complaints.
Because a smaller amount of stomach acid is produced over a long period of time, a proliferation of bacteria can occur, which can lead to complaints such as “heartburn”. Paradoxically, excessive use of the antacid omeprazole can therefore lead to stomach complaints. Therefore, it is recommended to use this medicine in a limited and responsible way.
