Omeprazole 20mg Capsules

Omeprazole Acid Reflux Treatment

One of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the UK, Omeprazole is an effective acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion treatment. It helps to relieve symptoms including bloating and chest pain by reducing stomach acid for up to 72 hours. One pack of Omeprazole contains 28 capsules, which should be taken daily for best results.

Buy Omeprazole 20mg capsules online at The Independent Pharmacy. Order now by completing our free online consultation and have your treatment delivered as quickly as the next working day.

What is Omeprazole?

Omeprazole is an effective treatment for stomach problems including heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion. Omeprazole eases recurrent symptoms including a pain or burning sensation in the chest, feeling full, heavy or bloated, frequent burping, feeling or being sick, and bringing up food. It does this by suppressing the production of acid in the stomach for up to 72 hours.

Omeprazole is manufactured by Mylan and is available on prescription in 20mg gastro-resistant tablets in boxes of 28 each. Omeprazole is safe for use in adults and children over the age of 1 year.

What is Omeprazole used for?

Omeprazole is used to treat stomach issues such as indigestion and heartburn — which is often caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or acid reflux — by reducing the amount of stomach acid in people who suffer from the symptoms frequently or persistently. It does not provide immediate or short-term relief for people who only occasionally experience indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux.

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid escapes from the stomach and into the oesophagus (food pipe). Stomach acid is necessary for the digestive process, breaking down food before it reaches the intestines. Normally, the oesophagus is protected from these acids by a group of muscles called the oesophageal sphincter. These muscles form a one-way barrier to allow food to enter the stomach while ensuring acids and other substances remain down.

Sometimes, the oesophageal sphincter weakens under excess pressure, causing stomach acid to travel up into the oesophagus. This is acid reflux. Acid reflux typically leads to heartburn, which is the name for the painful sensation of acid irritating or burning the tissues of the oesophagus. It actually has nothing to do with the heart — it gets its name because the pain is felt at the base of the chest.

How do Omeprazole capsules work?

Omeprazole capsules contain the active substance omeprazole, which belongs to a group of medicines known as ‘proton pump inhibitors’. The treatment works by suppressing the activity of proton pumps, the proteins that produce acids in the stomach. This decreases the amount of acid in the stomach, relieving the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.

Many people will experience occasional heartburn; however, some people suffer from these symptoms very frequently, which may be due to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Omeprazole is a prescription medicine for GORD and other similar stomach conditions.

How long does Omeprazole take to work?

Omeprazole usually starts to work within 2 to 3 days, although it may take up to a month for you to fully feel the effects of the treatment. Omeprazole is not intended for immediate relief or heartburn or indigestion; it’s a prescription treatment designed to be taken daily to provide longer-term relief from stomach issues such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

You will usually be prescribed one pack of 28 capsules, which are to be taken once a day. It’s important that you complete the full course, even if your symptoms start to improve before you’ve finished the treatment.

If you’re looking for immediate, short-term relief from indigestion or heartburn, you may wish to consider an over-the-counter alternative such as Gaviscon Double Action Liquid Sachets.

Can you buy Omeprazole over the counter?

Omeprazole is a prescription-only heartburn and indigestion treatment, which means it cannot be purchased over the counter. You can get a prescription from a doctor, or alternatively you can purchase the treatment online from The Independent Pharmacy after you complete a short online assessment. Once you’re approved for the medication, it can be delivered straight to your door the next working day.

Omeprazole alternatives

Antacids, such as Gaviscon and Rennie, are over-the-counter medicines that provide effective short-term relief from heartburn and indigestion and can be taken as required. Antacids are alkali liquids or tablets that are designed to neutralise stomach acid. A dose can often provide quick relief.

Lansoprazole is an alternative prescription-only treatment that works in a very similar way to Omeprazole, and is suitable for people who suffer from frequent or persistent heartburn or indigestion. Alternatively, Ranitidine and Famotidine also work to reduce stomach acid, but have slightly different mechanisms of action.

Full details on all available treatments can be found over on the Acid Reflux & Heartburn Advice page.

Non-medicinal alternatives to Omeprazole

Heartburn and indigestion are often caused by lifestyle factors such as overeating or exposure to trigger foods. Therefore, you can often reduce the risk by making a number of lifestyle changes. For example:

• Symptoms of GORD are likely to be much worse if you’re lying down horizontally. Consider sleeping on an incline, and avoid lying down after eating.
• Obesity is the primary cause of GORD, as excess fat puts pressure on organs such as the stomach. If you’re overweight, try to lose weight by switching to a healthier, more balanced diet and exercising more often.
• Large meals that fill the stomach are more likely to trigger acid reflux symptoms, so consider eating smaller portions.
• Try to avoid fatty, spicy or acidic foods and specifically onions, chocolate, and gluten, as well as carbonated or caffeinated drinks.
• Cutting down on alcohol and quitting smoking can also help to improve symptoms of GORD.

There are also several medications that interfere with digestion or the oesophagus in a way that might increase your risk of GORD. Talk to your GP about whether your medication might be causing your acid reflux, and if other treatments are available.

How to take Omeprazole tablets

You will be prescribed a course of treatment (usually 28 tablets) and should continue to take this medicine for the full duration of that course even if you feel better.

Adults should take one (20mg) capsule with water, preferably just before a meal.

If you don't notice an improvement in your symptoms within a few days, you should speak to a doctor or pharmacist for further advice. For full instructions on how to take Omeprazole, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.

When to take Omeprazole

One Omeprazole gastro-resistant 20mg capsule should be taken each day, unless otherwise advised by your doctor or pharmacist. For best results, you should take the capsule before eating a meal, preferably in the morning. The capsule should be swallowed whole with plenty of water.

Omeprazole ingredients

The active ingredient contained in Omeprazole capsules is: Omeprazole 20mg.

Omeprazole capsules also contain the following inactive ingredients: Sugar spheres, sodium lauryl sulphate, disodium phosphate, mannitol, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol 6000, talc, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide, Eudragit L30-D55 (poly(methacrylic acid, ethyl acrylate)), gelatin, quinoline yellow (E104), titanium dioxide (E171).

Omeprazole side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take Omeprazole capsules. However, if you do experience side effects, they may include:

• Stomach pain.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhoea.
• Wind.
• Headache.
• Nausea.

Less common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people) may include:

• Swelling of the feet and ankles.
• Insomnia.
• Dizziness or tingling feelings (“pins and needles”).
• Vertigo (spinning feeling).
• Skin rash and irritation.
• Generally feelings of sickness or low energy.

If you’re concerned about any of these side effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist. For full details on reported side effects, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.

Omeprazole warnings

Omeprazole capsules are unsuitable for you if you’re allergic to any of its ingredients (listed below) or any other proton pump inhibiting medicines (including lansoprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole or rabeprazole).

Omeprazole may cause complications with other diseases. See your doctor immediately if you:

• Suddenly lose weight.
• Have trouble swallowing.
• Have liver problems.
• Develop indigestion or stomach pain.
• Notice blood in vomit or stools.

Omeprazole and other medicines

Inform your doctor if you plan on taking Omeprazole while taking any of the following medicines:

• Antifungal medicines (e.g. ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole).
• Epilepsy medication (e.g. diazepam, phenytoin).
• Vitamin K blockers (e.g. warfarin).
• Clopidogrel.
• HIV medicines (e.g. atazanavir, saquinavir).
• Digoxin.
• Rifampicin.
• Methotrexate.
• Corticosteroids.
• St John's wort.
• Tacrolimus.

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine, and inform your doctor of medicines you’re taking or intend to take.

Taking Omeprazole when pregnant or breastfeeding

If you’re pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby in the near future, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Omeprazole tablets. Though Omeprazole is unlikely to impact a breastfed child, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking the medicine if you’re currently breastfeeding.

Sources

Omeprazole Patient Information Leaflet:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.663.pdf