Omeprazole for heartburn: how to take, the maximum duration of taking

Omeprazole - effective remedy for heartburn and a number of pathologies that provoke a symptom. The drug, a well-known representative of the group of proton pump inhibitors, which reduces the production of hydrochloric acid, is presented in capsules - tablets are not available. The pain and burning sensation stops one hour after the use of the medication.

Indications for use and contraindications

The medicine is intended for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the digestive system.

The instructions for use tell in detail for which diseases the medication is appropriate:

• With gastric ulcer and during an exacerbation.
• Reflux esophagitis.
• Pancreatic adenoma, gastrinoma.
• For heartburn lasting more than 48 hours.
• With inflammation of the pancreas.
• Cancer in the stomach.

The medication is taken for heartburn caused by diseases. The medicine is intended for the prevention and treatment of diseases, and is available in various dosages.

Application

Proton pump inhibitor, in a small dose - 10 mg, it is allowed to take to eliminate burning sensation in the esophagus, if the cause of the occurrence is in improper diet or abuse of spicy foods. The drug is well tolerated by patients and eliminates discomfort for a long time, which distinguishes the drug from the drugs of the antacid group.

Treatment with OTC drugs should not exceed 14 days.

A burning sensation in the esophagus is a sign of pathological processes of the gastrointestinal tract, which develop due to increased production of gastric juice. Omeprazole is an effective remedy, the medication reduces the secretion of gastric juice at night and during the day. The inhibitor removes belching, nausea. If the stomach hurts, the medicine eliminates the pain.

The medication should be used for heartburn:

• To quickly eliminate the discomfort, the medicine should be taken once.
• Prophylaxis burning sensation in the esophagus with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract - no more than seven days.
• Prevention of burning, if the symptom was not caused by a disease of the digestive system - no more than 14 days.
• Burning of the esophagus with an ulcer - carry out treatment with an inhibitor for no more than four weeks.

It is not recommended to take the inhibitor continuously. If the condition has not improved after taking one capsule, the symptoms have not disappeared after the nutritional correction - you need to see a doctor.

Contraindications

Like other medicines, Omeprazole has contraindications. It is not allowed to drink medication:

• People under the age of sixteen.
• Patients with impaired renal function.
• With atrophic gastritis.
• Persons with osteoporosis, as the inhibitor leaches out calcium.
• People with liver pathologies.
• For acute intestinal infections.

The use of the drug during pregnancy is not allowed. Capsules are strictly prohibited in the first trimester. For pregnant women in the second and third trimester, a medication is prescribed if the benefit to the woman outweighs the risk to the child.

The mother needs to refuse breastfeeding, if she takes the drug, the components that make up the composition enter the newborn's body with breast milk.

The instructions for use do not prohibit the use of alcohol during treatment, but refuse alcohol at the time of therapy, it is appropriate, because the drug is prescribed for the treatment of pathologies in which alcohol contraindicated.

How to take the drug

Before prescribing a medication, the doctor prescribes an examination for the patient in order to exclude or identify pathologies in which Omeprazole is not recommended. Such diseases are considered to be intestinal infection, malignant tumor.

The drug is taken twice a day, before meals. In the morning, it is permissible with meals. You need to know how long you can take the medicine and in what dosage the drug is acceptable for pathology. These indicators are determined by the attending physician. Often the course lasts from two weeks to two months.

As a prevention of burning - the agent is prescribed 20 mg in the morning and evening before meals. The duration of use depends on the reasons that provoked the symptom:

• Heartburn was caused by a temporary disruption in the functioning of the digestive system - the course of administration is from 5 to 7 days.
• The symptom is not caused by pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract - from 10 days to two weeks.
• Heartburn is caused by a stomach ulcer - the medicine is taken for up to a month.
• The form of the disease is severe - the period of admission is increased to three months.

The daily dosage is prescribed by the doctor, based on the severity of the pathology. Take constantly heartburn medicine from malnutrition - not recommended by experts. With a long course of treatment, the dosage is reduced gradually, since the agent is addictive.

The daily dose of the drug for diseases:

• With an ulcer, no more than 20 mg per day, for prophylaxis 10 mg.
• Dyspeptic syndrome 10-20 mg.

Capsules cannot be divided, they are not chewed. The required dose is taken with a small amount of water.

If the patient is in serious condition, in intensive care - Omeprazole is injected into the stomach through the catheter.

Pros and side effects

The main advantage of the remedy is the ability to quickly eliminate the symptom and cope with the disease that caused the heartburn. The burning sensation goes away in an hour, pain in two. Symptoms do not return within 12 hours. Well tolerated.

Side effects

A side effect is present if you do not follow the dosage or do not follow the doctor's recommendations for use. A malfunction of the digestive organs is expressed:

• Stool instability.
• Dry mucous membranes in the mouth.
• Gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Nausea, vomiting, pain.
• Liver dysfunctions.

Rarely observed:

• Increased sweating.
• Decrease in the number of platelets, leukocytes in the blood.
• Pain in muscles and joints.
• An autoimmune disease of the nervous system.
• Impaired visual acuity.
• Photophobia, acute allergic reaction.
• Skin rashes.
• Weakness.

After use, patients with nervous disorders may experience depression, irritability, headache, weakness. Hallucinations, insomnia, anxiety occur.

In rare cases, an allergic reaction in the form of Quincke's edema, spasms, anaphylactic shock.

Analogs

A representative of the group of inhibitors has many analogs that have a similar effect and are affordable. If absent, it is allowed to replace with medicines:

• Omez - capsules, active ingredient Omeprazole. There are excipients that soften the effect of the medication.
• Omeprazole-Akrikhin.
• Ultop is a two-color capsule with the active substance Omeprazole. Also available as an injectable powder. It differs from the original in that it is allowed for people with impaired liver function.
• Lansoprazole - the remedy is effective, like the original, suppresses the production of hydrochloric acid, but heals stomach ulcers better.
• Rabeprazole is more effective than the original in suppressing the symptoms of the disease.

What medication to drink with pathology - the doctor advises. The doctor prescribes the dosage and course that is necessary in a particular case.

All funds have similarities in composition and action, differ in name and price, additional components.

Omeprazole is often recommended by doctors for ulcers, gastritis and other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. This remedy is excellent for heartburn and other unpleasant symptoms, but you cannot take it without consulting a doctor.