It clears from the plasma within 4 hours, and it is completely metabolized by the liver. Metabolites are excreted mostly in the urine, and the rest via bile. Even though the half life is relatively short there is the largest effect at 24 hours, and can assist with reducing stomach acid secretion for up to 72 hours.

Popular Antacids Could Cause Vitamin Deficiency. Medications like Prilosec and Nexium could give patients a Vitamin B12 deficiency if they’re taken for more than two years, a new study shows. People taking acid-inhibiting medications, such as Prilosec, Zantac, Pepcid, or Nexium, could be short on Vitamin B12.

Woodcock said there are multiple alternative medications to treat heartburn, including Prilosec, Nexium and Tagament. Many makers of ranitidine drugs already removed their products from the market, including Zantac-manufacturer Sanofi.

Usually, you can stop taking omeprazole without reducing the dose first. If you have taken omeprazole for a long time, speak to your doctor before you stop taking it. Stopping suddenly could make your stomach produce a lot more acid, and make your symptoms come back.

Diarrhea: When gastric acid is decreased, the number of bacteria normally in the digestive system increases. Occasionally, this can cause serious infection in the digestive tract. If you experience watery, foul-smelling bowel movements after starting to take omeprazole, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Adults—20 milligrams (mg) once a day before a meal. Your doctor may want you to take omeprazole for more than 8 weeks for certain conditions. Children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

When you discontinue PPIs, there is rebound gastric hyper-secretion in those who have been on them for prolonged periods of time. Rebound symptoms should resolve within two weeks. Folks who have been taking PPIs for a period of six months might consider tapering down their dose instead of stopping cold turkey.

When you stop omeprazole, your stomach may increase the acid secretion significantly. Therefore, it is unsurprising that a common side effect of omeprazole withdrawal is a return of heartburn symptoms. However, acid secretion in your stomach should return to normal within two weeks.

If you miss doses or don’t take the drug on schedule: Your medication may not work as well or may stop working completely. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms can include: confusion.

It clears from the plasma within 4 hours, and it is completely metabolized by the liver. Metabolites are excreted mostly in the urine, and the rest via bile. Even though the half life is relatively short there is the largest effect at 24 hours, and can assist with reducing stomach acid secretion for up to 72 hours.