Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Long Omeprazole Takes to WorkTreating GERDWhat Is Omeprazole?DosageSafetyAlternative TreatmentsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Long Omeprazole Takes to Work
Treating GERD
What Is Omeprazole?
Dosage
Safety
Alternative Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Omeprazole(brand name Prilosec and Prilosec OTC) is an oral medication belonging to a drug class known asproton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It’s available via prescription and over the counter (OTC).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved omeprazole for the following conditions:
Keep reading to learn more about how quickly omeprazole begins working after use, alongside other important information for safely taking this medication.
How Long Does It Take for Omeprazole to Work?
Omeprazole begins working in your body shortly after you take a dose. However, it does not provide instant symptom relief.
When taken as directed, it usually takes one to four days before you notice any improvement in your symptoms. This is true of all forms of omeprazole (capsule, tablet, and liquid suspension).
While symptom relief may begin around one to four days after starting omeprazole, receiving the medication’s full benefit may take longer.
How long depends on the specific condition being treated.
For example, when healthcare providers prescribe omeprazole for erosive esophagitis, omeprazole helps reduce acid production rapidly.
However, the damage to theesophagusmay take up to four weeks to heal, so painful or difficult swallowing may take longer to go away.
In contrast, when OTC omeprazole is used to treat heartburn, the reduction in stomach acid quickly reduces the frequency and severity of heartburn. This often results in significant or complete relief within 14 days.
Prilosec OTC brand heartburn medication in a medicine cabinet.Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images
Omeprazole Duration of Effect
After taking a dose of omeprazole, its acid-reducing effect may last for 24 to 72 hours.
However, depending on the treated condition, you may not notice a difference in your symptoms until you take the drug for several days to weeks.
If you stop taking omeprazole, normal stomach acid production restarts within three to five days.
This means that if you have astomach ulceror another condition that takes prolonged acid reduction for complete healing, you may need to take the medication for a more extended period.
Be sure to take it according to your provider’s instructions.
Acid reflux affects at least 20% of adults in the United States.
It occurs when stomach contents move into the esophagus and can affect anyone from time to time.
Acid reflux is typically mild and occasional, causing temporary heartburn.
However, acid reflux often results in longer-lasting, more painful symptoms ofGERD.
The most common symptoms of GERD include:
When untreated, GERD may lead to severe complications, such as:
The first step towards treating GERD involves lifestyle changes. Certain foods or drinks maytrigger acid reflux. Eliminating these from your diet often reduces symptoms.
Experts also recommend elevating your head during sleep. This allows gravity to help prevent acid from entering your esophagus.
In some cases, healthcare providers may recommend an acid-reducing medication for GERD. Popular options include:
Omeprazole is an acid-reducing medication available with or without a prescription. It belongs to the PPI drug class.
Brand and generic versions of this drug are available as oral capsules, oral tablets, orally dissolving tablets, and suspension forms.
Prilosec OTC and its generic versions are FDA-approved to treatfrequent heartburnthat occurs two or more days a week in adults.
In addition, the FDA approves the prescription forms of omeprazole for the following indications:
Additionally, omeprazole is an active ingredient in a combination drug called Talicia (amoxicillin/omeprazole/rifabutin). Talicia is an oral capsule that works to eliminate harmful bacteria in the stomach known asH. pylori.
How Does Omeprazole Work?
Omeprazole reduces stomach acid through the same mechanism as other proton pump inhibitors.
When omeprazole binds to these pumps, it stops the release of protons, decreasing acidity.
How To Take Omeprazole
Omeprazole does not provide immediate relief from GERD,heartburn, or the other conditions it treats. This means this medication isn’t helpful if taken occasionally or “as needed.”
Instead, omeprazole takes time to start working, which can vary depending on the reason you’re taking it.
For heartburn, this drug may take one to four days before you notice some improvement in your symptoms.
In some cases, it may take up to four weeks to control stomach acid production fully.
How Soon Can You Drink Coffee After Taking Omeprazole?
Dosing Guidelines
The recommended dose of omeprazole varies depending on your age and the condition being treated.
The table below summarizes some of the recommended dosage guidelines for adults taking omeprazole. This is not meant to be a complete dosage guide.
In children younger than 16 years, dosing depends on weight and product.
Omeprazole delayed-release capsules are approved for those 2 years and older.
A liquid suspension is approved for infants 1 month and older, depending on the reason for use.
The FDA approves the following doses for children receiving omeprazole capsules
The following doses are recommended for children using omeprazole liquid suspension.
Safe Consumption Guidelines
Omeprazole is typically taken once daily before a meal. Take it around the same time each day.
If a missed dose occurs, please take it as soon as possible. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Do not take multiple doses at once to make up for a missed dose, as this could increase the risk of side effects.
Interactions
Certain medications may interact with omeprazole, resulting in negative side effects or reduced effectiveness.
While not a complete list, some medications to avoid while using omeprazole include:
Side Effects
Long-term use of omeprazole raises the risk of side effects.
Only take over-the-counter omeprazole for 14 days as instructed on the medication label.
In some cases, longer treatment is required, but only under the direction of a healthcare provider.
When used as directed for short periods of time, omeprazole doesn’t usually cause side effects. However, mild side effects are possible, including:
Additionally, children ages 2 to 16 may have an increased risk of respiratory infections. Symptoms may include:
Severe Side Effects
Rarely, omeprazole has been associated with more severe side effects, such as:
Typically, healthcare providers limit how long patients use omeprazole use.
However, when omeprazole is taken for a year or longer, additional serious side effects may occur. These include the following:
Precautions
Omeprazole may not be safe for certain people, such as those:
Alternative Treatment Options
Lifestyle changescan be a practical approach to treating and preventing GERD. The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recommends the following strategies:
Summary
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid enters the esophagus, resulting in heartburn, nausea, and painful swallowing.
Prilosec (omeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat GERD, gastrointestinal ulcers, and heartburn, among other conditions.
However, omeprazole does not provide instant relief. It may take one to four days of treatment before you notice an improvement in your symptoms. Complete relief may take two to four weeks or longer, depending on the specific condition being treated.
For more information and to learn if omeprazole is right for you, contact a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Frequently Asked QuestionsTo safely store omeprazole, keep the medication at room temperature and out of the reach of children or pets. Be sure to keep the product away from moisture.Both the prescription and over-the-counter versions of Prilosec contain the same active ingredient: omeprazole. The OTC form is only available in a 20 mg strength, while Rx omeprazole comes in multiple strengths.In addition, the OTC version is only FDA-approved for treating heartburn; the prescription version is approved for treating GERD, stomach ulcers, and other conditions involving the effects of stomach acid. For severe acid reflux or symptoms that keep coming back, see a healthcare provider for advice.
To safely store omeprazole, keep the medication at room temperature and out of the reach of children or pets. Be sure to keep the product away from moisture.
Both the prescription and over-the-counter versions of Prilosec contain the same active ingredient: omeprazole. The OTC form is only available in a 20 mg strength, while Rx omeprazole comes in multiple strengths.In addition, the OTC version is only FDA-approved for treating heartburn; the prescription version is approved for treating GERD, stomach ulcers, and other conditions involving the effects of stomach acid. For severe acid reflux or symptoms that keep coming back, see a healthcare provider for advice.
Both the prescription and over-the-counter versions of Prilosec contain the same active ingredient: omeprazole. The OTC form is only available in a 20 mg strength, while Rx omeprazole comes in multiple strengths.
In addition, the OTC version is only FDA-approved for treating heartburn; the prescription version is approved for treating GERD, stomach ulcers, and other conditions involving the effects of stomach acid. For severe acid reflux or symptoms that keep coming back, see a healthcare provider for advice.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.DailyMed.Omeprazole delayed-release tablet label.DailyMed.Omeprazole capsule label.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Acid reflux (GER & GERD) in adults.Barletta JF & Lat I.Off-label use of gastrointestinal medications in the intensive care unit.Intens Care Med.2013;30(4):217-225. doi:10.1177/0885066613516574Food and Drug Administration.Talicia delayed-release capsule label.Food and Drug Administration.Prilosec (omeprazole magnesium) for delayed-release suspension label.Yadlapati R, Gyawali CP, Pandolfino JE, et al.AGA clinical practice update on the personalized approach to the evaluation and management of GERD: expert review.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2022;20(5):984-994. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.01.025
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.DailyMed.Omeprazole delayed-release tablet label.DailyMed.Omeprazole capsule label.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Acid reflux (GER & GERD) in adults.Barletta JF & Lat I.Off-label use of gastrointestinal medications in the intensive care unit.Intens Care Med.2013;30(4):217-225. doi:10.1177/0885066613516574Food and Drug Administration.Talicia delayed-release capsule label.Food and Drug Administration.Prilosec (omeprazole magnesium) for delayed-release suspension label.Yadlapati R, Gyawali CP, Pandolfino JE, et al.AGA clinical practice update on the personalized approach to the evaluation and management of GERD: expert review.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2022;20(5):984-994. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.01.025
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.DailyMed.Omeprazole delayed-release tablet label.DailyMed.Omeprazole capsule label.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Acid reflux (GER & GERD) in adults.Barletta JF & Lat I.Off-label use of gastrointestinal medications in the intensive care unit.Intens Care Med.2013;30(4):217-225. doi:10.1177/0885066613516574Food and Drug Administration.Talicia delayed-release capsule label.Food and Drug Administration.Prilosec (omeprazole magnesium) for delayed-release suspension label.Yadlapati R, Gyawali CP, Pandolfino JE, et al.AGA clinical practice update on the personalized approach to the evaluation and management of GERD: expert review.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2022;20(5):984-994. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.01.025
Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.
DailyMed.Omeprazole delayed-release tablet label.
DailyMed.Omeprazole capsule label.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Acid reflux (GER & GERD) in adults.
Barletta JF & Lat I.Off-label use of gastrointestinal medications in the intensive care unit.Intens Care Med.2013;30(4):217-225. doi:10.1177/0885066613516574
Food and Drug Administration.Talicia delayed-release capsule label.
Food and Drug Administration.Prilosec (omeprazole magnesium) for delayed-release suspension label.
Yadlapati R, Gyawali CP, Pandolfino JE, et al.AGA clinical practice update on the personalized approach to the evaluation and management of GERD: expert review.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.2022;20(5):984-994. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.01.025
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