Omeprazole (sold under the brand names Losec and Prilosec) belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors.
These medicines decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach by blocking the enzyme in the wall of the stomach, which produces stomach acid.
This allows the esophagus and stomach to heal.
Uses
This drug is typically used for:
gastric ulcers in adults;
occasional heartburn (a sensation of burning in the chest);
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (an abnormal increase in acid production);
erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach) in children and adults;
gastroesophageal reflux disease (when gastric acid from the stomach travels up into the esophagus) in children and adults;
eradication of Helicobacter pylori when combined with amoxicillin and/or clarithromycin.
Dosage
This drug comes in packets and delayed capsule form to be mixed with water to form a suspension (liquid).
The typical recommended dose is 10 mg to 40 mg once per day. However, the actual dose and length of treatment depends on the condition being treated and is determined by a healthcare provider.
It can be taken without or with food. The dose may need to be reduced in people with hepatic impairment.
If a sufferer does not respond after about two months of treatment, an additional month of treatment may be given.
If there is a recurrence of GERD or erosive esophagitis symptoms, an additional 1 to 2 months of treatment may be considered.
No clinical trials have been done to evaluate the potential side effects of the use of this drug for pregnant and lactating women. Hence, stay on the safe side and avoid it as much as possible.
If you’re self-treating with this drug, don’t use it for longer than 14 days without checking with your healthcare professional.
Taking this medicine for 12 weeks or longer can lead to a deficiency of magnesium in the body. More importantly, the risk is considerably higher if you use it for 12 months or longer. Symptoms of a magnesium deficiency include:
low energy/fatigue;
sleep problems;
muscle cramps and spasms;
calcification of the arteries;
hormonal imbalance;
anxiety and depression;
pregnancy complaints;
hypertension.
There is also the possibility of iron and vitamin B12 malabsorption. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency include:
It is actually the brand name of a drug called famotidine. It is also available as a generic drug.
Famotidine belongs to a class of medicines called histamine-2 receptor blockers that works by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces.
Uses
It’s available as both an over-the-counter medicine and a prescription medicine.
In 1986, the Food and Drug Administration gave Marathon Pharmaceuticals (a privately held biopharmaceuticals company) approval to market this brand.
The over-the-counter form is typically used to treat and prevent heartburn caused by eating or drinking certain drinks or foods.
The prescription form is used to treat:
disorders where the stomach produces too much acid, like – Zollinger-Ellison syndrome;
gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which the backward flow of acid from the stomach causes injury of the esophagus and heartburn;
ulcers – sores on the lining of the small intestine or stomach.
Dosage
This drug can be found as a suspension and a tablet to be taken by mouth. The usual adult dose ranges from 20 mg to 40 mg twice per day, depending on the disorder being treated.
Some people may experience an allergic reaction, with symptoms including – sudden onset of diarrhea, facial swelling, seizures, vomiting, shock, cold limbs, or pale gums.
They are different types of drugs, however, both can treat stomach problems (they don’t heal).
Nevertheless, Pepcid can cause more severe side effects, especially for individuals with kidney disease. Moreover, omeprazole works better at preventing stomach ulcers than histamine-2 receptor blockers.
