What is the medication Omeprazole prescribed for? Indications for use
As you know, this drug is often included in combination therapy for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, or more precisely for the treatment of:
- ulcers and erosions of the stomach and duodenum, as well as to prevent their relapses;
- NSAID-induced gastropathy;
- reflux esophagitis;
- hypersecretory conditions (for example, polyendocrine adenomatosis, systemic mastocytosis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, stress ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract).
What else are Omeprazole capsules prescribed for? As part of complex therapy, this drug, as well as its analogues, is used to destroy Helicobacter pylori in case of peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach. Among other things, such a drug is used during general anesthesia to prevent aspiration of the acidic contents of the main digestive organ into the respiratory tract.
Omeprazole tablets: how to take?
The instructions for use contain information that the tablets should be taken in the morning (before breakfast) with a small amount of water. There is no need to chew them.
How to take Omeprazole? Basic therapy algorithm and dosage:
- Stomach ulcer. 20 mg per day. Duration of therapy is 2-4 weeks. In the acute stage of the disease, treatment is extended to 4-8 weeks.
- Eradication of Helicobacter pylori. The dosage of the drug for 1-2 weeks is 40 mg per day (20 mg x 2 doses).
- Prevention of exacerbation of peptic ulcer disease. A course of 1-2 weeks is prescribed 10-20 mg per day. Treatment can be carried out continuously or twice a year (subject to seasonal exacerbations).
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The dose is calculated based on the initial level of gastric secretion. The initial daily dosage is 60 mg, with a sequential increase to 80-120 mg, but not immediately, but in 2-3 doses per day.
It is important to know! The maximum permitted daily dose is 120 mg, the maximum single dose is 40 mg. If the patient has liver failure, do not exceed 20 mg.
If an adult or child cannot swallow a whole capsule, it can be opened. The contents should be drunk with a slightly acidified liquid, for example, juice, sour cream, yogurt. The composition prepared in this way should be taken no later than 30 minutes after opening the capsule.
Side effects and overdose
Taking Omeprazole may be accompanied by:
- abdominal pain;
- diarrhea/constipation;
- increased gas emission;
- hives;
- stomatitis;
- gastritis;
- hepatitis;
- strong excitement.
Omeprazole is a low-toxic drug. Taking it in the established norms (up to 270 mg per day) does not provoke poisoning. If treatment is carried out for patients with liver failure, blurred vision, drowsiness, confusion, increased heart rate, and vomiting are possible.
There is no specific antidote. If the symptoms described above occur, it is recommended to stop taking the drug and provide maintenance therapy to stop the disturbances. Hemodialysis is characterized by low efficiency. Share link:
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Methods of use and dosage of the medication
It is advisable to take the medication "Omeprazole" in the first half of the day. It is best to do this in the morning, regardless of food intake. The dosage of this drug is prescribed only by a doctor based on the diagnosis:
- For duodenal ulcers, it is recommended to take 1 capsule once a day. It should be especially noted that a decrease in the severity of signs of the disease occurs quite quickly. In most patients, scarring of the ulcers occurs within the first 2 weeks of therapy. For those who are not helped by this treatment, it is advisable to extend it for another 14 days.
- For duodenal ulcers that are resistant to therapy, this medication is prescribed 2 capsules once a day. In this case, scarring occurs within 4 weeks.
- For stomach ulcers, you should take 20 mg of the drug once a day. A decrease in the severity of symptoms of the disease usually occurs quite quickly. In most patients, scarring of the ulcers occurs within the first 4 weeks of therapy. If this course of treatment does not bring results, it is advisable to continue it for another 28 days.
- For stomach ulcers that are resistant to therapy, this drug is prescribed 40 mg once a day. Scarring of the ulcers occurs within 8 weeks.
- For reflux esophagitis, doctors usually prescribe this drug in the amount of 1 capsule once a day. A decrease in the severity of signs of the disease occurs quite quickly. Most people experience benefits from therapy within the first 4 weeks, and a minority experience benefits after about 8 weeks. For patients with severe disease such as reflux esophagitis, as well as for heartburn, Omeprazole is prescribed in an amount of 40 mg once a day.
- For peptic ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori, this medication is prescribed 2 capsules twice a day for 7 days in combination with antibacterial drugs.
- The drug "Omeprazole" for gastritis and erosive lesions of the gastric mucosa should be taken 20 mg once a day for 4-7 weeks.
Omeprazole - instructions for use
To begin with, I would like to note that the instructions for use are the same in both Ukraine and Russia. I made a separate note so that people understand that the medicine is the same, the excipients are the same, which means the dosage and use are the same, respectively. Reading the reviews, I came across interesting questions, namely how the instructions for use differ in Ukraine and Russia. Friends, don’t worry, everything is the same, including indications for use, analogues, etc.
These effective tablets are used for:
- Stress, which contributed to the occurrence of stomach lesions, most often ulcerative.
- Gastritis is also a reason to start taking this drug to avoid complications.
- Heartburn, which does not go away within three days with the help of other medications.
- Pancreatic adenoma.
- Erosion of the 12 duodenum and peptic ulcers of the same part of the body.
- An increase in mast cells that causes Mastocytosis.
- Tumor lesions of the endocrine gland.
And so, Omeprazole is most often used for ulcers and erosions of the stomach, duodenum and complications with the endocrine system, as well as for the prevention of pancreatitis and other diseases. The drug is also prescribed as an excipient or as a complex treatment.
Here is what the medicine Omeprazole is and instructions for use.
How to take Omeprazole, before or after meals
Omeprazole-Akrikhin is recommended to be taken before meals, or together, preferably in the first half of the day, namely in the morning. If you divide the capsule into two parts, and this can be done, then it should be taken in the same way, but only in the evening, and not at lunch.
Depending on the disease and condition of the patient, the dosage and methods of application vary.
Is it possible to take Omeprazole constantly?
How long can I take these capsules? Of course, with such a question it is best to consult a doctor and, best of all, a competent specialist. I recommend asking him how the drug in this case will affect the body, and what side effects threaten you with your diagnosis.
Remember that continuous use of this medicine puts you at risk of developing blood clots and will lead to calcium deficiency.
Side effects of the drug
The most common gastrointestinal disorders that are observed after taking the drug Omeprazole include the following:
- constipation or diarrhea;
- dryness of the oral mucosa;
- flatulence;
- nausea;
- stomach ache;
- taste disturbance;
- liver dysfunction;
- stomatitis;
- vomit;
- hepatitis, which develops with previous liver disease.
Among other things, uncontrolled use of the drug Omeprazole can cause other side effects:
- peripheral edema;
- thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, pancytopenia, encephalopathy;
- arthralgia, myalgia, myasthenia;
- increased sweating;
- gynecomastia;
- visual impairment;
- interstitial nephritis, fever, anaphylactic shock, urticaria and angioedema;
- photosensitivity, exudative erythema multiforme, skin rash, itching and alopecia;
- general malaise.
If the drug "Omeprazole" is taken in cases where the underlying disease of the gastrointestinal tract is accompanied by severe somatic abnormalities, the patient may develop severe headaches, dizziness, depression and excessive agitation.
pharmachologic effect
The medication is part of a group of antisecretory drugs that are actively used in the treatment of erosive inflammation and peptic ulcer of the upper gastrointestinal system. The drug Omeprazole, which helps with heartburn, reduces activity and inhibits the formation of hydrochloric acid in the gastric tract. In its action, the medication is a proton pump inhibitor. The medicinal effect of the active substance appears after it enters an acidic environment, which is inherent in the stomach.
The bactericidal properties of Omeprazole tablets are manifested by its effect on Helicobacter pylori, a microorganism that provokes the development of gastritis, stomach and intestinal ulcers. This is a very effective remedy that suppresses Helicobacter pylori infection. With reflux erosive and ulcerative esophagitis, when under the influence of acid the esophageal mucosa is destroyed, which leads to the formation of ulcers, Omeprazole also helps well. As a result, after its use, the acid-base balance is restored and the severity of the symptoms of the disease decreases. The medicine not only provides symptomatic treatment, but also reduces the risk of complications and recurrence of the disease.
