Omez 20mg Tablet: Uses, Composition, Side Effects & FAQs

Omez 20mg Tablet is a medicine for acid-related problems such as heartburn, acid reflux and stomach ulcers. It is a proton pump inhibitor, which means it lowers the acid your stomach makes. In India it is prescription-only, so you need a valid prescription. Each tablet contains 20 mg of omeprazole.

Omez 20mg is a 20 mg tablet of omeprazole, a medicine that lowers stomach acid. It belongs to a group called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. Omez 20 mg also comes as capsules, so follow the instructions on your own pack; this article covers the 20 mg omeprazole product.

Think of the acid pumps in your stomach lining as taps that switch on when you eat. Omez 20mg blocks those pumps, so less acid reaches your food pipe and stomach.

Doctors usually prescribe Omez 20mg for:

• Acid reflux and heartburn (GERD), where acid flows back up and burns the food pipe
• Reflux oesophagitis, where that acid has made the food pipe sore and swollen
• Duodenal ulcer, a sore in the first part of the small intestine
• Gastric ulcer, a sore in the lining of the stomach
• H. pylori infection, along with antibiotics, to stop ulcers returning

It does not kill germs, and it is not an antacid, so it will not ease a sudden burning feeling within minutes.

1. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or split it.
2. Take it before a meal, at about the same time every morning. Food barely changes how much you absorb.
3. If you find it hard to swallow, ask your pharmacist before changing how you take it.
4. Keep taking it as long as your doctor has told you, even if you feel better in a few days.

Your doctor decides your dose and how long you take it, based on your condition, your age and how well your liver works.

For most acid-related problems the usual adult dose is 20 mg once daily in the morning. Duodenal ulcers are usually treated for 2 to 4 weeks, and gastric ulcers or reflux oesophagitis for 4 to 8 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe a different dose or a different strength.

Never increase the dose on your own. A higher dose does not settle symptoms faster, but over a year or more it raises the risk of weak bones and low magnesium.

In children, Omez is used only for severe reflux, on a specialist's advice, with the dose based on weight. Too much Omez can cause blurred vision, drowsiness, nausea, sweating or a fast heartbeat. Go to the nearest hospital emergency department at once, or call 112, and carry the strip with you.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless your next dose is close. If it is almost time, skip it and carry on as usual - never take two doses together.

Acid control builds up over the first few days, with the full effect usually reached within 4 days. Some people notice less heartburn within a day. Ulcers and sore food pipes take longer, so see your doctor if nothing improves after 4 weeks.

Store at or below 25 °C, away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children, and do not use after the expiry date.

Most people take Omez 20mg without any trouble. When side effects happen, they are usually mild and settle on their own.

Common and mild:

• Headache
• Stomach pain or discomfort
• Loose motions (diarrhoea) or constipation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Wind (passing gas more than usual)
• Dizziness or feeling sleepy

Rare but serious (stop the medicine and see a doctor right away):

• A severe skin reaction — painful blisters, peeling skin, sores in the mouth or genitals, or fever
• An allergic reaction — swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing
• Very low magnesium — muscle twitching or cramps, fits, an uneven heartbeat or unusual tiredness, usually after 3 months or more
• Kidney inflammation — tiredness, nausea, loss of appetite, or swelling
• Severe diarrhoea that does not settle, especially with fever or stomach pain

These effects come from omeprazole itself, and the long-term risks are higher with high doses or a year or more of treatment.

• Anyone allergic to omeprazole, to any ingredient in the tablet, or to similar medicines.
• People taking HIV medicines that contain nelfinavir, atazanavir or rilpivirine.
• People taking St John's wort.
• Children under 1 year old.

Tell your doctor before taking Omez 20mg if you have:

• Liver problems (your dose may need to be lower).
• Kidney problems (the usual dose is unchanged, but long-term safety has not been established).
• Low levels of magnesium, calcium, potassium or vitamin B12 in your blood.
• Weak or thinning bones, or a fracture in the past.
• An autoimmune condition such as lupus.
• Are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding (small amounts pass into breast milk; tell your doctor so the decision can be made for you).
• Are over 65, especially if you take other medicines long term.

Acid medicine only helps with symptoms. See a doctor quickly if you have:

• Trouble swallowing, or pain when you swallow
• Vomiting blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Black, tarry stools or blood in your stool
• Weight loss you cannot explain
• Chest pain with sweating, breathlessness, or pain spreading to your arm, neck or jaw — call 112 at once

Omez 20mg lowers the amount of acid your stomach makes, and doctors prescribe it for heartburn, acid reflux and stomach or intestinal ulcers. Taking it regularly, before a meal each morning, is what makes it work. The dose and how long you take it should come from your doctor, not from how you feel. Headache, stomach pain and loose motions are the side effects people notice most, and they usually pass.