Omeprazole
Prilosec is the brand-name omeprazole on this shelf, a proton-pump inhibitor that blocks stomach acid production to treat Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease and Peptic Ulcer Disease. It comes in 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg capsules.
Key points
- The capsule is delayed-release, designed to survive stomach acid and dissolve in the intestine where the drug is absorbed.
- Long-term use can deplete magnesium levels, typically after three months or more, and this may cause muscle cramps or an irregular heartbeat.
- Combining omeprazole with clopidogrel is discouraged as a precaution, since it lowers clopidogrel’s active metabolite levels.
How does Omeprazole work?
Omeprazole switches off the proton pumps in the stomach lining that produce acid. With less acid being made, irritated tissue in the stomach and oesophagus gets a chance to heal.
Because omeprazole raises the pH inside the stomach, it can change how other medicines are absorbed. It also blocks a key liver enzyme involved in its own breakdown, which may affect the levels of co-administered drugs.