This drug can help relieve excess stomach acid and ulcers, but you need to understand how and when to take it.

Key takeaways:

• Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole can treat excess stomach acid and ulcers
• While omeprazole provides significant benefits, it may also cause uncomfortable side effects
• With proper diet and eating habits, those taking omeprazole can improve nutrient absorption 

Stomach acid is essential for maintaining proper digestion. But if your body produces too much or not enough – or if it seeps into areas where it shouldn’t be – it can cause issues including heartburn, ulcers in the stomach and small intestine, and irritation of the esophagus. Luckily, proton-pump inhibitor drugs (PPIs) like omeprazole, which is an active ingredient in Prilosec and Prilosec OTC, can be effective for treating these issues. PPIs can reduce stomach acid, prevent and treat ulcers, and help resolve issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 

When should you take omeprazole?

Omeprazole is generally prescribed for people who experience chronic heartburn, indigestion, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in adults and children where acid flows backward from the stomach up into the throat, potentially causing heartburn and injury to the esophagus. Omeprazole helps stop this flow of acid, which allows the esophagus to heal. Prescription omeprazole is also sometimes paired with other medications to treat conditions caused by H. pylori bacteria. Nonprescription omeprazole (sold as Prilosec OTC) can be used for frequent heartburn (two or more days a week). Omeprazole’s acid-inhibiting effects begin within one hour of taking it and last up to 72 hours. While you might be tempted to take it at night, because heartburn and acid reflux often cause difficulties with sleep, the best time to take it is actually first thing in the morning , either before or with breakfast. It may take a few days before you notice any symptom relief with omeprazole. Many people continue to take antacids during this time, although it's best to check with a doctor first.

Benefits and risks

There are significant benefits to using a PPI like omeprazole:

• It greatly inhibits gastric acid secretion, particularly in the daytime after a single morning dose
• The amount of acid it blocks gradually increases over the first three to five days of use
• The body generally doesn’t develop a tolerance to it, even if it’s used for a long period of time

⠀Like any pharmaceutical drug, however, omeprazole comes with its share of potential side effects. These include: 

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Gas
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea

In addition, if you feel any of the following symptoms, be sure to contact your physician and/or seek out emergency medical treatment:

• Irregular, fast, or pounding heartbeat; muscle spasms; uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body; excessive tiredness; lightheadedness; dizziness; or seizures
• New or worsening joint pain; rash on cheeks or arms that is sensitive to sunlight
• Blistering, peeling, or bleeding skin; sores on the lips, nose, mouth, or genitals; swollen glands; shortness of breath; fever; or flu-like symptoms
• Rash; hives; itching; swelling of the eyes, face, lips, mouth, throat, or tongue; difficulty breathing or swallowing; or hoarseness
• Severe diarrhea with watery stools, stomach pain, or fever that does not go away
• Increased or decreased urination, blood in urine, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, fever, rash, or joint pain

It’s important to tell your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, particularly if they are severe and don’t fade over time. Finally, people who take omeprazole or other PPIs have a higher risk of fracturing their spine, hips, or wrists than people who don’t. They may also start to see signs of a type of growth on the stomach lining called fundic gland polyps. These risks trend higher for those on higher doses for longer periods of time, such as a year or more. 

Nutrient absorption and omeprazole

One concern when taking a PPI like omeprazole is its effect on nutrient absorption. Because it inhibits the body’s production of stomach acid, people on omeprazole run the risk of developing hypochlorhydria , where the body has difficulty digesting food properly, particularly proteins. This can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies over time and also an increased risk of infection. Luckily, there are ways to counter these issues and improve digestion while taking omeprazole:

• Start with protein . Protein stimulates acid production naturally.
• End with fluids . Wait until at least 30 minutes after your meal to drink water or other beverages. This way, your stomach has ample time to digest proteins.
• Eat more probiotics . Probiotic foods, which include miso, sauerkraut, and yogurt, promote good gut bacteria that aids in digestion.
• Eat less processed and fatty foods . These provide very little nutrition and are difficult for your body to digest.
• Eat smaller, slower meals . Chew your food thoroughly (and eat less of it) to make sure your system can break it down.
• Wait a few hours before going to bed . It’s essential for your body to have time to digest before lying down.

Remember, when taking omeprazole, a well-balanced diet is not only necessary for general health but a valuable tool for digestive wellness.

Take control of your digestive health

Taking a PPI like omeprazole can lower stomach acid and greatly improve digestive health. As with all medications, however, it’s best to consult your physician before taking even the over-the-counter version of omeprazole. There’s also the cost to consider, especially since omeprazole is generally taken over a long period of time.

That’s where ModRN Health can help. By providing a wealth of information on medications and medical conditions, as well as an easy-to-use platform that offers significant discounts on medications, we can help take a lot of the stress out of managing your health conditions. Plus, when you use our service (and refer others to use it) you earn rewards points that can be redeemed for gift cards to some of your favorite stores.

And we can even send you automatic reminders via email or text when it’s time to refill your prescriptions. And best of all? It’s FREE. Just sign up for an account at ModRN Health and start saving up to 90% on your medications today!