Heartburn or acid reflux is not too uncommon, and you’ve probably experienced it sometime in your life. It’s usually like a burning sensation in your chest and throat. And with acid reflux tablets like Omeprazole (traditionally sold under the brand names Losec or Prilosec), you can get rid of this horrible sensation.

Meanwhile, you may also use another type of medication to treat acid reflux called Esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

But for now, let’s take a look at what Omeprazole is and how it works in curing heartburn.

What is Omeprazole?
Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It’s used to treat stomach and esophagus problems such as acid reflux, ulcers, etc.

The medicine works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes, in turn, relieving symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough.

A widely used treatment for indigestion and heartburn, and acid reflux, typically comes in the form of capsules, tablets, or a liquid that you can swallow.

How To Take Omeprazole?
Omeprazole tablets are available in the UK to be swallowed by mouth.

Usually, you can take Omeprazole once a day, first thing in the morning. However, you can take it twice a day for a more severe problem – in the morning and in the evening. As it doesn’t upset the stomach, you can take it with or without food.

All types of omeprazole are available on prescription. You can buy the lowest strength of 10 mg tablets and capsules from UK pharmacies.

Are There Any Side Effects of Taking Omeprazole?
Yes, a few common side effects may arise, such as headaches, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. But these tend to be mild and should go away when you stop taking the heartburn medicine. If they persist or worsen, you should seek medical help.

Moreover, if you're self-treating with omeprazole, you shouldn’t take it any time longer than two weeks without consulting a doctor.

Overall, even though acid reflux usually goes away on its own, you can use medicines if it’s unbearable.