How Long Does It Take For Omeprazole To Work?
Omeprazole is a drug which has been formulated to treat certain stomach and oesophagus problems such as ulcers and acid reflux). It works by lowering how much acid your stomach makes and in doing so, will relieve symptoms such as a persistent and new cough, heartburn, and difficulty.
Video: What is Omeprazole?
This medication helps to heal any damage to the stomach and oesophagus caused by acid, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the oesophagus. Omeprazole belongs to a family of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Does Omeprazole have any side effects?
Like all medications, Omeprazole does have side effects. However, they are not all serious. If the following side effects occur, these are perfectly common and should not be a cause of concern. However, if they worsen it is recommended that you speak to a doctor:
Headache
Abdominal pain
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Vomiting
Flatulence
Dizziness
Upper Respiratory Infection
Acid Reflux
Constipation
Rash
Cough
The following side effects are slightly less common and if they occur, it is recommended that you seek advice from a doctor:
Bone Fracture (Osteoporosis Related)
Deficiency of Granulocytes in the Blood
Loss of Appetite
Gastric Polyps
Hip Fracture
Hair Loss
Chronic Inflammation of the Stomach
Destruction of Skeletal Muscle
Taste Changes
Abnormal Dreams
Finally, these side effects are extremely rare, and you must seek medical attention if one/more than one occurs.
Liver Damage
Inflammation in the Kidneys
Pancreatitis
Dermatologic Disorder
Can I buy Omeprazole over the counter?
You can buy Omeprazole 10mg tablets and capsules from pharmacies. They are the same as Omeprazole 10mg tablets and capsules you can get with a prescription, but they are meant to be taken only by adults and only for up to 4 weeks.
Higher doses of Omeprazole are only available on prescription. When purchasing Omeprazole at UK Meds, you will be required to fill in an online consultation consisting of questions similar to those that would be asked by a GP.
These questions include asking about your medical history and the condition which you are looking to treat. We will then instruct an independent prescriber registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council to review your answers and make an informed decision on whether to send you Omeprazole.
This process is essential as it assures you that you are receiving a quality product on the recommendation of a medical professional.
How long does Omeprazole take to work?
It is usual to take Omeprazole once a day, first thing in the morning. You can take it with or without food as it will not upset your stomach. If you need to take it twice a day, take 1 dosage in the morning and 1 dosage in the evening.
The usual dose to treat:
Indigestion is 10mg to 20mg a day
Heartburn and Acid Reflux is 20mg to 40mg a day
Stomach Ulcers is 20mg to 40mg a day
Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is 20mg to 120mg a day
Doses are usually lower for children and people with liver problems.
You should start to feel better within 2 to 3 days once you begin taking Omeprazole. It may take up to 4 weeks for it to work properly, so you may still have some acid symptoms during this time.
Blog author
Scott Weaver
Scott is an experienced and professional content writer who works exclusively for UK Meds.
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