Omeprazole
Omeprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor that suppresses gastric acid. It is effective for several acid-related disorders, but a long-term prescription should still have a clear indication and periodic review.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Drug class
- Proton-pump inhibitor
- Main uses
- GERD and erosive oesophagitis; peptic-ulcer disease; H. pylori eradication regimens; hypersecretory conditions; selected OTC treatment of frequent heartburn
- Route
- Oral; intravenous omeprazole exists in some markets
- WHO ATC
- A02BC01
- Key safety
- Headache and gastrointestinal effects are common; prolonged use can be associated with hypomagnesaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, fractures, kidney injury and enteric infections in susceptible patients.
- Monitoring
- Ongoing indication, symptom response, alarm features, magnesium/B12 or bone risk when clinically relevant, and interacting medicines.
Names & terminology
How this medicine may be named or searched
- Canonical page name
- Omeprazole
- INN / generic name
- Omeprazole
- Aliases / salts
- omeprazole
- Russian support entity
- omeprazole.ru — entity relationship only, not a clinical source
Structured drug profile
Drug profile
What is Omeprazole?
Omeprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor that suppresses gastric acid. It is effective for several acid-related disorders, but a long-term prescription should still have a clear indication and periodic review.
What is Omeprazole used for?
GERD and erosive oesophagitis; peptic-ulcer disease; H. pylori eradication regimens; hypersecretory conditions; selected OTC treatment of frequent heartburn. The exact approved indication depends on the product, route and country. [1]
How it works
Irreversibly inhibits the gastric parietal-cell H+/K+-ATPase proton pump, producing sustained suppression of acid secretion.
Forms and formulations
Delayed-release capsules or tablets and granules for suspension; formulations vary by country. Different formulations may have different indications, strengths, excipients and instructions and should not be assumed interchangeable.
Country / market layer
Availability and formulations by market
Brand names, strengths, prescription status and approved uses vary by jurisdiction. Check the exact national product record before relying on a formulation.
Availability depends on the active ingredient, route and formulation; not every medicine in this reference has a current UK product.
U.S. authorization and formulation availability may differ substantially from Europe and other markets.
How it is used
Delayed-release omeprazole is commonly taken before a meal, and the granules or capsules should be handled according to formulation instructions so the enteric-coated particles are not crushed. OTC regimens are intended for frequent heartburn rather than immediate relief of a single episode.
For prescription treatment, use the patient-specific regimen rather than copying a dose from another person or another formulation.
Side effects
Headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea or constipation can occur. Longer use is associated with several uncommon but clinically relevant adverse effects, including low magnesium and certain infections.
Important warnings and monitoring
Difficulty swallowing, gastrointestinal bleeding, persistent vomiting, unexplained weight loss or new anemia are alarm features requiring assessment rather than repeated self-treatment. Long-term therapy should be reviewed for ongoing need and lowest effective regimen.
Monitoring context: Ongoing indication, symptom response, alarm features, magnesium/B12 or bone risk when clinically relevant, and interacting medicines.
Interactions
Omeprazole inhibits CYP2C19 and can reduce activation of clopidogrel; it can also affect absorption of medicines that depend on gastric acidity. A medication review is important for long-term users with complex regimens.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
PPIs including omeprazole are used during pregnancy when clinically indicated. Treatment decisions should consider symptom severity and available alternatives rather than stopping essential therapy without advice.
Overdose and accidental extra doses
Overdose may cause confusion, drowsiness, blurred vision, tachycardia, nausea and headache. Significant excess ingestion should be discussed with a poison centre or emergency service.
Practical clinical context
The most important distinction is between the medicine entity and a specific marketed product. Strength, salt, route, modified-release design, age authorization and prescription status can change between products. When safety or dosing decisions matter, use the exact package leaflet, prescribing information or national regulator record for the product actually being used.
This page deliberately separates general evidence from the project’s Russian-language support site omeprazole.ru; that site identifies the cross-language entity but is not treated as an authority for clinical claims.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
It is used for acid-related disorders such as GERD, erosive oesophagitis, ulcers and some H. pylori treatment regimens.
No. It is a proton-pump inhibitor that reduces acid production rather than directly neutralizing existing stomach acid.
The coating protects the drug from stomach acid so it can be absorbed after passing into the intestine.
Yes when there is a continuing indication, but long-term treatment should be reviewed periodically for benefit, dose and safety.
It can reduce conversion of clopidogrel to its active form through CYP2C19 inhibition, so the combination should be reviewed clinically.
Sources
Clinical statements in this reference are based on named public-health, regulatory or guideline sources. Product-specific labeling remains authoritative for exact indications, dosing and contraindications.
- 1. MedlinePlus. Omeprazole Drug Information. Source ↗
- 2. MedlinePlus. Proton pump inhibitors overview. Source ↗
This medicine reference is evidence-based and is awaiting clinician review. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.