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What is Apo-Omeprazole® ?

Marlene Garcia
Marlene Garcia

Apo-Omeprazole® is the trade name of a protein pump inhibitor that reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach. The drug is used to heal and prevent gastric and duodenal ulcers, and for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some physicians prescribe Apo-Omeprazole® for patients who take drugs to control pain and inflammation as protection against ulcers. The medication is also used to treat a rare disorder that produces excessive amounts of stomach acid.

Reflux disease is commonly called heartburn because it can cause a burning sensation when acid or food travels up the esophagus from the stomach. This occurs when a muscle that normally keeps digestive juices in the stomach opens suddenly. The patient may feel a burning in the throat or in the lower chest area. Spicy foods, fatty foods, and caffeine might make the symptoms worse, along with smoking. Over time, GERD can damage the food pipe, leading to more serious health problems including esophageal cancer.

Someone suffering from severe heartburn might be given proton-pump inhibitors, such as Apo-Omeprazole.
Someone suffering from severe heartburn might be given proton-pump inhibitors, such as Apo-Omeprazole.

Peptic ulcers can form in the stomach or duodenum, which is a section of the intestine that leads from the stomach. Both types of ulcer can be caused by excess production of acid over an extended period of time. An ulcer can worsen until it eats a hole through the lining of the gut and leads to rectal or oral bleeding. Apo-Omeprazole® helps heal the ulcer and may prevent it from returning.

Apo-omeprazole is prescribed to heal and prevent peptic ulcers.
Apo-omeprazole is prescribed to heal and prevent peptic ulcers.

Doctors typically prescribe Apo-Omeprazole® or a similar medication for patients who are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). These drugs reduce pain and swelling in joints commonly associated with arthritis and rheumatism, and might irritate the lining of the stomach and bring about peptic ulcers. Patients who use Apo-Omeprazole® can reduce the irritation to prevent the formation of ulcers.

Apo-Omeprazole can be used to heal ulcers in the stomach or duodenum.
Apo-Omeprazole can be used to heal ulcers in the stomach or duodenum.

The usual dose of Apo-Omeprazole® is 20 mg a day. Typically, ulcers heal in about a month, but they might return if lifestyle and diet remain the same. Patients who suffer from acid indigestion should eat smaller meals throughout the day and avoid alcohol, aspirin, and tobacco, which irritate the stomach. Losing weight is also helpful for some obese people.

Nursing mothers and pregnant women are advised to avoid taking Apo-Omeprazole.
Nursing mothers and pregnant women are advised to avoid taking Apo-Omeprazole.

Side effects from this medication include dizziness, headache, stomach pain, and gas. Some patients report constipation or diarrhea while using Apo-Omeprazole®. It is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children. The prescribing doctor should be told about any other medications being used because interactions may occur. Any instance of vomiting blood or blood in the stool is cause for immediate medical attention.

Discussion Comments

anon309250

It works well for my wife's excess acid.

starrynight

My grandmother was actually taking this medicine for quite awhile. However, her doctor recently had her stop taking it.

Apparently it can increase the risk of fractures in older people. My grandmother started to show signs of osteoporosis too, which was another reason her doctor had her stop taking this.

Unfortunately, my grandmother has gastro-esophageal reflux disease. The Apo-Omeprazole was really helpful for it, and she doesn't like her new medicine as much. However, her doctor thought it was best not to increase her risk for bone damage any more so he had to make a judgment call about her medicine.

JaneAir

You know, I really wish my doctor would have told me about Apo-Omeprazole. I used to take prescription strength naproxen for chronic pain, and I think I could have probably benefited from taking something like this along with it.

In fact, one of the reasons I stopped taking the naproxen was because it was bothering my stomach. My doctor prescribed me an alternative therapy for my condition that works pretty well. Still, it would have been nice to have all the information before I made my decision. I guess it really pays to do your own research online too!

JessicaLynn

I thought the name of this drug sounded kind of familiar, so I did an Internet search. This medicine is sold over the counter as Prilosec. I believe you can also get it as a prescription in a higher strength.

Anyway, a good friend of mine gets acid reflux, so she takes Apo-Omeprazole sometimes. You're really supposed to take it on a more regular basis to get the most relief, but my friend is always forgetting! So in her case, it definitely doesn't work as well as it could.

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    • Someone suffering from severe heartburn might be given proton-pump inhibitors, such as Apo-Omeprazole.
      By: nebari
      Someone suffering from severe heartburn might be given proton-pump inhibitors, such as Apo-Omeprazole.
    • Apo-omeprazole is prescribed to heal and prevent peptic ulcers.
      By: designua
      Apo-omeprazole is prescribed to heal and prevent peptic ulcers.
    • Apo-Omeprazole can be used to heal ulcers in the stomach or duodenum.
      By: p6m5
      Apo-Omeprazole can be used to heal ulcers in the stomach or duodenum.
    • Nursing mothers and pregnant women are advised to avoid taking Apo-Omeprazole.
      By: xjrshimada
      Nursing mothers and pregnant women are advised to avoid taking Apo-Omeprazole.
    • Apo-Omeprazole can be used to treat gastric reflux disease.
      By: bilderzwerg
      Apo-Omeprazole can be used to treat gastric reflux disease.