This Is How Long It Takes For Omeprazole To Start Working
Omeprazole is a medication used to treat conditions where too much acid is present in the stomach. This includes ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), via the Mayo Clinic.
According to Harvard Health Publishing, ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach which normally form later in life (around age 60 onwards). Approximately 1 in 10 people develop an ulcer at some point, per the source.
As for GERD, it's a chronic condition that targets the digestive system, according to Healthline. Symptoms include heartburn, indigestion, and a consistent burning sensation in the chest more than twice within a week (via Healthline). According to a 2020 review published in the journal StatPearls, GERD is the most commonly diagnosed digestive disorder in the United States.
As a proton-pump inhibitor, omeprazole reduces the amount of acid the stomach produces, per MedlinePlus. This helps prevent damage to the esophagus in people with GERD, says MedlinePlus.
How long it takes omeprazole to start working
According to the National Health Service (NHS), omeprazole comes in liquid, capsule, and tablet form — all of which are available by prescription. However, 20-milligram omeprazole is also available over the counter (per MedicalNewsToday).
Concerning how long omeprazole takes to start working, the NHS says two to three days is the usual time. However, it might take up to four weeks for its full effect to kick in.
Regarding dosage, it's best to stick to your doctor's prescription. How much you take will depend on the condition being treated, per MedicalNewsToday. As a guide, 20 milligrams of omeprazole daily for four to eight weeks will suffice for intestinal ulcers. Infection caused by H. pylori will require 20 milligrams twice daily along with two antibiotics for 10 days, says Medical News Today.
According to MedlinePlus, it's best to take it around the same time every day. Also, try to swallow your medication whole, with a full glass of water, and avoid splitting, chewing, or crushing the tablets. When taking the liquid form, it's best to shake and measure the liquid using the syringe provided, per Drugs.com.
Common side effects of omeprazole
Like many medications, omeprazole should be taken with caution. The drug can interact with certain medications including clopidogrel, digoxin, and methotrexate (via Drugs.com).
It also comes with various side effects — abdominal pain and headaches being two of the most common, per WebMD. According to MedlinePlus, omeprazole might also cause gas, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. More serious side effects include hives, rashes, itching, blisters, skin peeling or bleeding, and sores on the mouth, nose, and genitals. Besides these side effects, people using omeprazole have a higher chance of fracturing their hips, wrists, or spine, according to MedlinePlus.
Long-term consumption of omeprazole can cause stomach growths such as fundic gland polyps and vitamin B deficiency, per Drugs.com. In such instances, it's best to speak to your doctor to understand the way forward. Drugs.com also advises against continuing the drug if you experience seizures, severe stomach pains, muscle spasms, or blood in your urine.