What is Omeprazole for?

The omeprazole is part of the family of drugs representing the group of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI), is mainly characterized by reducing production pronounced and prolonged acid in gastric juice to prevent and attack related diseases precisely because excess of heartburn (gastritis, ulcers, digestive bleeding, dyspepsia, among many more). The main function of omeprazole is to inhibit the secretion of hydrochloric acid, also known as HCL, by up to 80%.

Now, you may wonder, what is hydrochloric acid and what function does hydrochloric acid play in our stomach? HCL is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, that is, a highly corrosive liquid whose main function in digestion is to activate enzymes to help decompose the food that is consumed, of course it does not act alone but together with other acids allowing that the digestion process is carried out effectively.

If you want to know more about what omeprazole is for , we leave you all the information here.

The story behind omeprazole

In mid-1966 the first studies on proton pump inhibitors began to be carried out, after more than a decade of tests in 1979 the Swedish company Aktiebolaget Hässle was the first to develop this drug and had all the rights and patents on omeprazole family of products. However, the studies continued as omeprazole was a compound that decomposed easily and was not very stable, especially in acidic media.

In 1987, a Swedish company called Astra Zeneca developed and patented a new formula with stable characteristics to be administered orally, being the first company to market the product in capsules or tablets to the general public in 1989 and under the name of Losec. and Prilosec.

In the year 2000 the patent on the rights of omeprazole expired in different countries, in this sense several companies began to produce the different generics that are known and abound in the current market.

How should omeprazole be taken?

First of all, it should be noted that only doctors are able to determine the correct consumption of any medication, so self-medication is never recommended. In addition, in many countries the drug is sold only with a prescription that contains the previous indications made by the doctor.

In the current market, it is found in 20 mg presentations indicated for chronic pathologies that merit its continuous and prolonged use to try to avoid adverse reactions in the body and the 40 mg presentation is indicated for acute pathologies that can be treated in shorter periods. .

For both presentations it is recommended to take one capsule a day and preferably in the morning approximately 45 to 60 minutes before each meal. The drug must not in any way change its original state, that is, it must not be split, crushed or decapsulated.

Its use should not belonger than 8 weeks unless it is treated in patients suffering from Zollinger-Ellison and is always administered under the supervision of a specialist.

Pathologies treated with omeprazole

Through omeprazole, diseases such as:

• Gastritis.
• Peptic ulcers.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• Dyspepsia.
• Upper digestive hemorrhages.
• Prevention of gastropathy due to the use of NSAIDs.
• Barret’s esophagus.
• Peptic acid disease.

Omeprazole side effects

• Some side effects that have been considered in people who regularly take omeprazole are:
• Headache (headache).
• Constipation.
• Gas and flatulence.
• Dizziness
• Sickness.
• Tachycardia.
• Difficulty getting to sleep.
• Difficulty waking up
• It can cause diarrhea.
• The risks of fracture in the hip, wrist and spine increase.

In patients who are in intensive care and have been given frequent doses of omeprazole, increases of up to 30% in lung diseases (pneumonia) have been recorded in them.

Reduces the absorption and assimilation of vitamin B12.

It delays the elimination of some drugs that are metabolized by hepatic oxidation such as diazepam, warfarin or phenytoin, and perhaps itraconazole.

Special caution should be taken if it is used in conjunction with cyclosporine, studies have shown that it increases the possibility of suffering from pancreatitis.

It can also cause dry mouth, skin rash, itching, hives, shortness of breath, excessive tiredness, muscle spasms, seizures, hoarseness, stomach pain, and fever.

Prolonged use of the drug can cause weakening of the stomach lining, and cause a rebound acid hypersecretion effect if its use is discontinued abruptly.

Contraindications

Like any drug, its use must be administered exclusively under medical supervision, since in certain cases its administration must be restricted:

• People with allergic or anaphylactic reactions to the active substance omeprazole.
• It is advisable to administer the medicine 30 minutes before eating food.
• Its prolonged use is not recommended for more than 8 weeks as it can cause osteoporosis.
• The tablets should not be broken, chewed, crushed, or decapsulated, since the drug would be exposed to natural acids and would disintegrate due to the effects produced by the gastric juice content.
• It is classified in category C of risk during pregnancy, fetal toxicity or teratogenic effect has not been demonstrated, however, it is advisable to exercise caution and consult your specialist doctor.
• It should not be used in lactation as omeprazole is excreted in breast milk and if it should be done preferably under medical supervision.
• Patients with a history or liver risks that may delay the metabolization by oxidation of the drug such as: hepatitis A, B and C, liver and biliary cirrhosis.

Some curiosities of omeprazole

What is Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?

It is caused by a tumor located regularly in the head of the pancreas or it can even form in the upper part of the small intestine, these tumors cause a large amount of gastrin to be generated, thus increasing secretions and acidity in the stomach, therefore that warrants prolonged treatment with a proton pump inhibitor.

Some incorrect indications of omeprazole

1. As a gastric protector in case of ingesting multiple medications: one of the most frequent and erroneous uses of omeprazole, since the indication of several drugs to a patient does not necessarily require that there be a high risk of gastritis, ulcers or any other pathology that may trigger the heartburn. As we mentioned before, omeprazole acts as an acid inhibitor, but it will not serve to avoid the side effects that other medications may produce.
2. To treat gallbladder problems : Many people self-medicate omeprazole lightly when they have stomach or gallbladder problems, even to treat poor digestion. It should be noted again that the use of it will be of no use and there will be no benefit in doing so, on the contrary, it will affect the normal digestive process.
3. To relieve frequent stomach pains : the effects of the drug begin to take effect about 1 hour after consuming it and it takes approximately 4 days to reach its maximum regularizing effect, which can hardly alleviate a temporary stomach pain, it is better to resort to much longer treatments direct and that they fulfill their mission in the short term.

Trade names commonly found in the market

• Omelic.
• Ulceral.
• Omefar.
• Omebloc.
• Omez.
• Losec.
• Genopraxol.
• Dolintol.
• Inhibitron.
• Ibax.
• They seek.
• Pepticum.