Omeprazole Capsules 10mg

What are Omeprazole Capsules?

Omeprazole belongs to the class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). They work by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach.
They can be taken to treat:

1. Indigestion
2. Heartburn
3. Acid reflux
4. Stomach ulcers
5. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
6. H. Pylori stomach infections

It is widely used and prescribed and begins to work within 2 to 3 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks for it to reach its maximum effect.

How to buy Omeprazole Capsules online

Omeprazole is available in tablet form to buy over the counter however Omeprazole capsules are prescription only. You can use our online prescription service to buy Omeprazole Capsules online in the UK with free and next day delivery. We are a regulated GPhC registered pharmacy based in the UK. Any website that claims to sell Omeprazole Capsules without a prescription is operating illegally and you could be purchasing counterfeit / fake medicine.
Upon completion of your order, our independent prescriber will then review your online assessment. If your assessment is approved, our pharmacy team will then receive a prescription and dispense your order, which will be dispatched the same day using your chosen delivery method.

How Omeprazole works

Omeprazole is a type of medicine called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Proton pumps are enzymes in the lining of your stomach that help it make acid to digest food. Omeprazole prevents these proton pumps working properly, reducing the amount of acid the stomach makes.

It usually starts working within 2 to 3 days, but it may take up to 4 weeks for it to work fully.

How to take Omeprazole

Omeprazole's usual dose is 20mg once daily usually in the morning. This dose can then be adjusted up or down according to response.
It is important that you do not crush, break or chew the capsules as they are specially coated to make sure they get absorbed properly.
Once your symptoms are under control you should consider lowering your dose to the lowest dose required to control the symptoms. This will help keep any side effects to a minimium.
If your symptoms persist after taking Omeprazole for a few days contact a doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

What is heartburn & acid reflux

Heartburn is an uncomfortable burning sensation feeling in your chest that can travel up your neck and throat. Usually the stomach acid is kept in the stomach by the lower oesophageal sphincter. When it isn't working properly stomach acid is allowed to travel up into the oesophagus, causing a burning sensation. If it is a chronic condition it is known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). It can affect anyone sometimes with no obvious cause.
Common symptoms are:

1. Heartburn
2. An unpleasant taste in the mouth
3. Cough or hiccups
4. Bad breathe
5. Hoarse voice
6. Bloating
7. Nausea

Your symptoms may be worse after eating, when lying down or bending over.
Sometimes it is caused by or made worse by:

1. Obesity
2. Alcohol
3. Smoking
4. Pregnancy
5. Certain foods - spicy, acid or fatty foods
6. Stress
7. Certain medicines such as anti-inflammatories
8. Bacterial infections
9. Stomach ulcers
10. Hiatus hernia

Acid reflux can sometimes be caused by something more serious. Watch out for the following

1. If lifestyle changes or over the counter medicines do not help
2. Symptoms persist longer than 5 days while taking omeprazole
3. Heartburn occurs frequently for 3 weeks or more
4. You struggle to swallow food
5. You are being sick
6. Unintended weight loss

If any of the above occur then contact your doctor, they can perform tests to see if your acid reflux is due to something more serious.

Easing heartburn and acid reflux

There are certain steps you can take to help ease acid reflux and heartburn yourself.

1. Try eating smaller and more frequent meals
2. At night raise the head end of your bed by 10 - 20cm, raising your chest and head above your waist. This will help stop stomach acid travelling up your throat
3. Weight loss if you are overweight
4. Relax and de-stress

You should avoid:

1. Foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms
2. Eating before you go to bed, avoid eating 3 - 4 hours before bed
3. Smoking
4. Alcohol
5. Tight clothes

If you follow the advice above and your symptoms persist, you can consider treatment. While taking treatment you should keep following the steps as they can help improve treatment outcomes.

Omeprazole side effects

As with any medication you take, there is a possibility of side effects occurring. The most common side effects of Omeprazole include

1. Headaches
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhoea
4. Stomach pain
5. Constipation
6. Flatulence

If you would like to see a full list of side effect please refer to the SPC below or look in the patient information leaflet.

Omeprazole interactions

The following medicines interact with omeprazole:

1. Citalopram
2. Clopidogrel
3. Escitalopram
4. Methotrexate
5. HIV medicines such as Atazanavir
6. Dasatinib

Do not take omeprazole with another proton-pump inhbiitor such as lansoprazole as this will increase the risk of side effects.
You should also be aware that any herbal or alternative remedies you take may also interact with this medication and cause side effects. If you are taking any herbal or alternative remedies make sure to mention them to your GP, or on the consultation form so we can make sure they are safe to take together.
For a full list of interactions see: Omeprazole interactions.

Omeprazole and pregnancy

Omeprazole has been shown to be safe to take during pregnancy. However it is always best to try and treat your symptoms without medicines while pregnant.

Omeprazole and breastfeeding

Omeprazole will pass through breast milk in tiny amount. It is unlikely the tiny amount of omeprazole your baby receives from your milk will do them any harm. It is unlikely to have any affect, but if you notice any change in you babys behaviour such as not feeding as well as usual, is unusually sleepy or you have any concerns contact your doctor or health visitor.

Omeprazole and fertility

Omeprazole does not affect fertility in either men or women.

Omeprazole and alcohol

You can drink alcohol while taking omeprazole as the two don't interact. However be aware that alcohol can make acid reflux symptoms worse.

Omeprazole alternatives

There are other PPIs available such as:

• Lansoprazole capsules
• Lansoprazole orodispersible tablets
• Esomeprazole
• Pantoprazole
• Rabeprazole
• Nexium control

There are also antacid tablets available which help instantly neutralise the excess acid in the stomach, these can also be taken alongside Omeprazole.
Gaviscon is a popular remedy and as well as neutralising excess it forms a raft on top of the stomach helping protect the oesophagus, this can also be taken alongside Omeprazole.

More Omeprazole information

If you would like more information, you can find the SPC here.

Omeprazole FAQs

• Can I take Omeprazole with other acid reflux medicines?

  Yes you can take omeprazole with another acid reflux medicine such as Gaviscon. Take it 2 hours before or after your dose of omeprazole or the omeprazole may not work correctly. Do not take omeprazole with another PPI such as lansoprazole as this will increase the risk of side effects.

• Can I take Omeprazole while pregnant?

  Omeprazole has been shown to be safe to take during pregnancy. However it is always best to try and treat your symptoms without medicines while pregnant.

• Can I take Omeprazole while breastfeeding?

  Omeprazole will pass through breast milk in tiny amount. It is unlikely the tiny amount of omeprazole your baby receives from your milk will do them any harm. It is unlikely to have any affect, but if you notice any change in you babys behaviour such as not feeding as well as usual, is unusually sleepy or you have any concerns contact your doctor or health visitor.

• Can I buy Omeprazole over the counter?

  You can buy omeprazole tablets over the counter to be taken up to 14 days. If you want the capsules or want to use them for longer than 14 days they must be prescribed.

• Are there any long term effects of taking Omeprazole?

  Taking omeprazole long term can increase your chance of bone fractures and gut infections. Prolonged usage for more than a year can lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. Look out for signs and symptoms such as feeling very tired, sore red tongue, mouth ulcers and pins and needles.

• Is it safe to buy Omeprazole from your pharmacy?

  We are a General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) registered pharmacy and we source all our pharmaceutical products from reputable wholesalers, the same wholesalers that provide the medicines used to fill NHS prescriptions.
  If you buy them from an unregistered pharmacy you may be wasting your money at best or at worse harm yourself buying and taking fake tablets. Always check to make sure where you are buying them from are registered with the GPhC.

• Do Omeprazole capsules expire?

  Yes, like most medicines it has a shelf life and will become less effective if it is left unused. Always check the expiry date of any medicines you are taking before you take them, the expiry date refers the end of the month. If you find your medication has expired, you can post them to us, bring them to us or take them to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal.

• How should I store Omeprazole capsules?

  They should be stored in a dry area below 25°C and kept out of direct sunlight. Storing the tablets incorrectly could result in the tablets becoming less effective.

• How long does it take for Omeprazole to work?

  While it may provide relief in as little as an hour, it can take up to 3-4 weeks to reach its full effect.

• Can I drink alcohol while taking Omeprazole?

  You can drink alcohol while taking omeprazole as the two don't interact. However be aware that alcohol can make acid reflux symptoms worse.