What is Omeprazole?
Omeprazole is a treatment for GORD, a digestive condition of recurring acid reflux. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid or bile rises up the food pipe lining and causes irritation and heartburn.
GORD can be caused by a combination of things. It’s often linked to the bundle of muscles between your stomach and oesophagus losing strength. It’s also associated with more pressure caused by straining and coughing, food staying in the stomach for longer and acid lingering in the oesophagus. It can cause a range of symptoms.
Omeprazole is a generic treatment that can reduce symptoms of heartburn, help with GORD or treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. Omeprazole is the active ingredient and generic name of Losec. It comes as a gastro-resistant capsule, as a tablet or as an oral suspension fluid.
How does Omeprazole work?
The active ingredient in Omeprazole works tiny membranes called proton pumps in the wall of the stomach. Proton pumps make and release the acids which break down food. With GORD you have too much of this acid, causing discomfort.
Omeprazole stifles the action of the proton pumps, reducing the amount of stomach acid produced. This helps the symptoms of GORD.
What doses of Omeprazole are there?
Omeprazole comes in both tablets and capsules. There are doses of 10mg, 20mg and 40mg. The oral suspension fluid comes in doses of 2mg/ml and 4mg/ml.
The dose will depend on how uncomfortable your symptoms are and treatment usually lasts for 4 weeks. If it’s an ongoing problem, treatment might last longer.