Omeprazole refers to medications used to treat erosive, ulcerative processes in the stomach. This drug is used to suppress the synthesis, aggression of hydrochloric acid. The active component begins to act after interaction with the acidic environment characteristic of the upper parts of the stomach. Our article will tell you in detail how to take omeprazole.
Material Content:
Description of the dosage form, composition
Omeprazole is a drug of an Indian pharmaceutical company, produced in the following forms:
- pills
- capsules;
- powder for injection.
Tablets and capsules have the same dosage. The active substance of this drug is omeprazole. In addition to it, the following auxiliary ingredients are included in the capsules:
- purified water;
- gelatin;
- sodium;
- glycerol;
- nipazole.
The tablet form of omeprazole consists of the following excipients:
- Sahara;
- sodium;
- carbonate;
- cellulose;
- talcum powder;
- titanium.
Omeprazole tablets are coated with an enteric coating, which allows the active component to reach the upper gastrointestinal tract unchanged.
Pharmacological properties
Omeprazole is a modern drug that reduces the secretion of gastric juice. The drug treats ulcerative lesions, an erosive state of the stomach. It is a proton pump inhibitor. The active substance of the drug reduces the synthesis of hydrochloric acid, reducing its aggressiveness.
Omeprazole capsules exhibit their healing qualities after combining with an acidic environment.During therapy, the active substance of the drug enters the cells that produce hydrochloric acid. Thus, the synthesis of pepsin, gastric juice is controlled. In addition, this medicine successfully fights the Helicobacter bacterium, as a result of which it is necessarily used for the treatment of stomach ulcers.
With reflux, damage to the gastric mucosa occurs, which leads to the formation of erosion, ulcers. During the treatment course, the negative impact of hydrochloric acid is reduced, the normal acidity of the stomach is restored. Thus, the brightness of symptoms decreases, the patient's condition improves, and the risk of relapses and complications decreases.
Instructions for use indicate the possibility of using the medication in the following conditions:
- duodenal ulcer, stomach;
- heartburn;
- belching;
- flatulence;
- nausea
Omeprazole for gastritis is used for increased acidity of the stomach. With pancreatitis, the active substances lower the pressure, reducing the load on the pancreas. The active component begins its action an hour after penetration into the body. The therapeutic effect lasts a day. The process of excretion occurs through the kidneys. In patients suffering from renal failure, the process of elimination of the drug slows down.
Instructions for use and dosage for children and adults
The therapeutic course often raises the question of how to take omeprazole, before meals or after. The medicine should be drunk in the morning. Do not crush or chew. If it is not possible to swallow whole, the drug can be crushed and dissolved in juice with a slightly acidic environment. Mix the tablets before use. For adults, the medication is usually prescribed as follows:
- with exacerbation of a gastrointestinal ulcer, it is recommended to drink 1 tablet. once 14 days. If necessary, the course can be extended up to 1 month;
- for the prevention of relapse ulcers drink 1 table. a week;
- to eliminate Helicobacter bacteria, the drug is taken for a week in conjunction with antibiotic therapy, 1 table. twice a day;
- with reflux, they are prescribed to drink 1 tablet. once a month. The severe stage requires an increase in the course to 2 months;
- with gastritis, drink ½ tablet. once a day a month;
- with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, 1 tablet is prescribed. three times a day for a month.
Treatment of children with omeprazole must be carried out under the supervision of a doctor:
- with reflux, children from 2 years old are prescribed 20 mg per day for 1-2 months;
- with reflux, children under 2 years of age are shown to drink 10 mg per day for a month;
- with an ulcer, an increase in the recommended dosage is possible. The therapeutic course is 2 weeks;
- To eliminate bacteria, Helicobacter is prescribed to drink 10 mg twice a day for a week with the simultaneous use of antibacterial therapy.
Patients suffering from renal failure, there is no need to carry out dose adjustment. Often, patients are interested in the question of whether Omeprazole can be taken continuously. This medication is potent. Against the background of its erratic use, side effects from the body may develop, and complications may arise. There is a risk of the formation of diseases caused by vitamin deficiency, infectious diseases, and deterioration of renal, cardiac, and brain activities.
Note! The constant use of antiulcer drugs in people aged can lead to a heart attack, dementia.
Pregnancy and lactation
If it became necessary to take the medication during pregnancy, then the woman needs careful medical supervision, dose adjustment and course duration. Since its active component passes through the placental barrier and can harm the fetus.A nursing woman who needs treatment with this drug should stop breast-feeding the baby and for this period transfer the baby to the infant formula.
Omeprazole Compatibility with Alcohol
This anti-ulcer drug should not be taken concomitantly with alcoholic beverages. Of course, alcohol does not adversely affect the digestibility of the active substance. But Omeprazole maintains the desired level of gastric secretion, promotes the healing of erosion, ulcers, and prevents relapses. Alcohol leads to damage to the gastric mucosa, does not allow ulcers to heal normally. Thus, provoking a relapse of the disease, leading to the appearance of pain, complication of pathology.
Drug interaction
Omeprazole should be taken with caution with the following drugs:
- with medicines based on bismuth, an increase in the blood content of the latter is possible;
- with cardiac glycosides, the content of omeprazole increases;
- with anti-alcohol drugs, impaired consciousness;
- with antiviral agents, the amount of their active substance in the blood decreases;
- with clarithromycin, an increase in the concentration of both substances in the plasma occurs;
- with methotraxate, the process of removing its active substance from the body worsens;
- with phenytoin, the content in the blood of the latter increases.
On a note! The simultaneous use of omeprazole with antibiotics of the erythromycin series is not shown.
Drug Analogs
To date, there are many analogues of Omeprazole. Usually, this medicine is replaced with the following drugs:
- Gastrozole, which is used to treat gastrointestinal ulcers. The drug eliminates the symptoms, does not allow an increase in the acidity of the stomach;
- Omez used to suppress the production of hydrochloric acid. During the use of the medication, irritation of the gastric mucosa is eliminated. This drug can be used even with mild gastrointestinal damage;
- Pantropazole normalizes the process of synthesizing hydrochloric acid. The medicine is not indicated during pregnancy, to patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis;
- Nolpase, which blocks the production of hydrochloric acid.
Select analogues of Omeprazole capsules with your doctor, who will help you choose the most suitable option, based on the patient's condition.
Omeprazole is an effective antiulcer drug that quickly relieves symptoms and does not allow relapses to develop.
