What Condition Does Omeprazole Treat and Its Price?

Omeprazole is an FDA-approved proton pump inhibitor that is used in certain esophagus and stomach problems. This is available in the dosage forms of 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg.

What condition does Omeprazole treat?

Omeprazole is a prescription medicine that is used for the treatment of ulcers and acid reflux. As a proton pump inhibitor, this medicine lessens the amount of acid made in the stomach.

This medication can also be used to treat conditions such as:

• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
• Stomach infections caused by Helicobacter pyloribacteria
• Erosive esophagitis

How does Omeprazole work?

Omeprazole works by preventing the proton pumps from functioning and decreases the production of too much stomach acid. Proton pumps are found on cells that line the stomach and are used by cells to produce stomach acid.

By reducing the stomach acid, this medication helps relieve symptoms of indigestion and painful heartburn that causes too much acid flowing back into the food pipe. It allows the food pipe to heal if it has been damaged by the acid. By decreasing the total of acid in the upper intestine and stomach, this medicine lets ulcers heal and prevents them from coming back.

If you are taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller, this medicine helps protect your gut. A painkiller stops your stomach from making prostaglandins that usually defend your stomach lining from stomach acid. Omeprazole helps to lessen the quantity of stomach acid that can irritate your stomach while you’re taking a painkiller.

This medication begins to work depending on how and why you are taking it. You should get some relief from indigestion symptoms and heartburn right away or at least in the first few days after taking a dose of Omeprazole. However, you may need to keep taking Omeprazole for a few weeks some conditions may require you to take this drug on a long-term, basis. Either it is to keep symptoms under control or to avoid the condition from coming back.

What is the dosage of Omeprazole?

The dosage is based on your condition, age, weight, and response to the treatment. You should take this prescription exactly as it is prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than it is given by your doctor.

Omeprazole is taken by mouth usually once a day or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the medicine as a whole with a full glass of water without crushing or breaking the capsule. Doing so can release the entire drug at once which increases the risk of side effects. Always remember to take this medication at the same time and in the same way each day.

What are the precautions of Omeprazole?

• Taking this drug for three months or longer can cause low magnesium levels in your body. Your risk is higher if you take Omeprazole for a year or longer.
• Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
• If you are a breastfeeding women, consult your doctor first before taking a dose of this drug.
• Do not take this medication if you are allergic to it. This drug may contain some ingredients that may cause an allergic reaction.
• This drug may increase your risk of severe diarrhea. Call your doctor at once if you have stomach pain, watery diarrhea, and a fever that won’t go away.
• This may change the way your liver works. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may lessen your dose.
• If you have your special dietary instructions, continue your diet unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Price of Omeprazole vs. Prilosec

The generic Omeprazole is a cheap medication that is used in conditions caused by too much acid production in the stomach. It only costs:

• $0.3 per unit of 10 mg
• $9 for 30 capsules of 10 mg
• $0.4 per unit of 20 mg
• $12 for 30 capsules of 20 mg
• $0.5 per unit of 40 mg
• $15 for 30 capsules of 40 mg

The brand name Prilosec costs a lot more expensive which is:

• $2.01 per unit of 10 mg
• $60.15 for 30 capsules of 10 mg
• $1.26 per unit of 20 mg
• $37.72 for 30 capsules of 20 mg
• $1.87 per unit of 40 mg
• $55.96 for 30 capsules of 40 mg