How long should you take omeprazole 40 mg?

The duration of Omeprazole 40mg use varies based on the condition. Consult your doctor for personalized treatment advice.

This medicine proves to be effective for different conditions like increased stomach acid. This tablet comes in strengths of 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg capsules. Certainly, this medicine comes with side effects if used in the long run. So, if you are thinking about how long you should take Omeprazole, let us understand more about this capsule and understand how long you should take Omez 40mg (Omeprazole).

What is Omeprazole medicine used for?

This capsule reduces the excessive acids produced in your stomach. As this medicine reduces stomach acid, it is used to treat a range of stomach-related problems:

• GERD
• Heartburn
• Stomach bleeding or ulcers
• Erosive esophagitis
• Pylori infection
• Barrett’s esophagus

You can treat the above problems with the advice of your healthcare provider.

How does this medication work?

Omez (Omeprazole) 40mg medicine is an effective PPI that suppresses stomach acid production. It hinders the gastric parietal cells present in the stomach lining from generating acids. This capsule starts working an hour after you take it orally and offers maximum benefits in the next four hours.  It stays active in the body for 24-48 hours and its action can last for 72 hours.

How long to take it?

Based on your condition/reason, you may need to take the Omeprazole capsule for a couple of weeks/months or maybe for years. Some people need this capsule every day while others need it only when they see the symptoms.

Once your health is fine after a couple of days or weeks, you can stop using this capsule. Taking this medicine for a short time may not work for some people. So, discuss with the medical expert the correct dosage.

The doctor may prescribe you Omeprazole 40mg if your condition doesn’t improve with the 20mg dosage. So, continue taking the 40mg dose only for the duration prescribed by the medical expert. Do not exceed the duration as it can bring in more side effects.

If you are facing heartburn problems even after taking it for the prescribed duration, get in touch with your medical expert. The medical expert may suggest some tests to find out the root cause of the problem.

Common side effects that you may face while using this medicine are stomach pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea. Most of these side effects are not severe and resolve automatically without medical help. But bothersome side effects that remain for a longer period need medical attention. So, connect with your healthcare provider.

What will happen if I take Omeprazole 40mg for too long?

If you continue to take this capsule for too long, it can bring in long-term side effects. These side effects are:

• Weakening of bones
• Pneumonia(infections of the respiratory tract)
• Extreme diarrhea
• Rebound gastritis (severe symptoms when you try to discontinue this medicine)

Due to the above risks, avoid taking this capsule for more than a couple of weeks or as directed by your medical expert.

Having said that, sometimes the benefits of this capsule in long-term treatment are more than the risks, so, you can discuss with your medical expert if you need to take it in the long run.

Looking at the side effects that may occur with long-term use, your medical expert may suggest a different treatment that is equally effective. All this depends on your health condition. Sometimes PPI treatment like Omeprazole proves to be excellent treatment. 

So, it is suggested that you should speak to your medical expert to know if taking this tablet as a long-term treatment would be useful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Omeprazole 40 mg capsule result in any adverse effects?

Using this capsule for a short span will not cause any adverse side effects. However, long-term use (a year or so) can cause a deficiency of Vitamin B12, infection, mouth ulcers, and in some cases mouth ulcers. So, speak to your medical expert regarding its use, frequency, and duration.

Will I gain weight while I am taking Omeprazole 40mg medicine?

Using this medicine for a longer duration can lead to weight gain. However, there is no evidence if that weight gain occurs due to this medicine. The weight gain is believed to be due to a higher intake of food to manage symptoms in these patients.

Can I consume this capsule daily?

You can take this tablet to get relief from symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn. However, the duration of the treatment should be followed as the doctor says. Each patient responds differently to medicines. So, long-term use should be done only if your medical experts ask you to.

Is it okay to eat immediately after taking the Omeprazole capsule?

This capsule should be taken 45 minutes to one hour before having a meal. Having meals instantly after taking the tablet can reduce the effectiveness of this capsule. Try to consider the instructions properly to manage stomach acidity.

Can this medicine cause tiredness?

This capsule can lower the magnesium levels in your body. A drop in magnesium levels can result in tiredness, fatigue, and dizziness. Drowsiness is a basic side effect of this capsule.

Will I suffer from anxiety due to the intake of Omeprazole capsules?

According to studies, it is reported that this medicine can cause cognitive impairment and anxiety mainly in elderly people. Patients taking treatment for depression also say that they face uneasiness, anxiety, insomnia, and hallucinations after taking this capsule.

Can I take this medicine with an antacid?

Yes. You can take this medicine with an antacid if required.

I am not feeling better even after taking this medicine. What should I do?

If you are not feeling better, discuss it with your medical expert. They will assess your condition and suggest the correct remedy.

I want to stop taking this capsule. How to stop using it?

 Do not stop taking this tablet suddenly if you have been using it for a while now. The medical expert will reduce the dose gradually and then will discontinue the medicine completely.

Conclusion

Well, how long you can take Omeprazole depends on the condition you want to treat with medicine. Ideally, avoid taking this tablet for longer than the duration prescribed by the medical expert. Certainly, for some conditions, you need to take it for a longer period, but that should be done upon the doctor’s advice only.

Taking this capsule for a longer period brings in severe side effects. So, confirm with your medical expert the exact duration you need to take it. After evaluating your health condition, the medical expert will be the right person to guide you.