Losec 20mg (Omeprazole)

Losec general information

What is Losec used for?

Losec capsules 20mg (also known as Prilosec) are used to treat conditions caused by gastric reflux, which is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus, because the sphincter (muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach) that normally acts as a one-way valve and prevents backflow of stomach contents, does not function properly or is damaged. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), as this condition is known, causes symptoms like heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), and can damage the oesophagus causing inflammation (oesophagitis). Losec capsules 20mg are also used to treat and prevent peptic ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers or damage to the stomach lining) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers or damage to the lining of the upper intestine); and gastric ulcers caused by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID); also as combination therapy to treat gastric ulcers that are caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, in conjunction with using antibiotics. Losec capsules 20mg are also used to treat symptoms of acid-related dyspepsia that can be caused by eating high fat or acidic foods, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in which increased levels of the hormone gastrin causes an excessive production of gastric acid.

How does Losec work?

Losec capsules 20mg (also known as Prilosec) contain omeprazole, which exists in 2 active chemical forms called enantiomers; Losec capsules 20mg contain a mixture (racemic mixture) of the 2 enantiomers. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat conditions caused by excess gastric acid, by reducing the amount of gastric acid released into the stomach. Stomach acid is needed for digestion of proteins in your diet and is made by the parietal cells of the stomach wall. Gastric acid production is dependent on the action of the enzyme H+/K+-ATPase, which is the proton pump responsible for pumping positive hydrogen ions out of the cells into the stomach, which increases the acidity of the stomach contents. Omeprazole in Losec capsules 20mg inhibits the functioning of the H+/K+-ATPase, which prevents acid secretion by blocking the source of acid production. This action of omeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophagitis and relieves symptoms caused by excess gastric acid like heartburn and dyspepsia. By inhibiting gastric acid secretion Losec capsules 20mg also help prevent the formation of gastric (stomach) and duodenal (upper intestine) peptic ulcers and also helps ulcers and damage caused by gastric reflux to heal.

What does Losec contain?

Losec capsules 20mg contain omeprazole, which is a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat conditions caused by excess gastric acid secretion. They also contain disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, mannitol, methacrylic acid co-polymer, microcrystalline cellulose, macrogol (polyethylene glycol), sodium lauryl sulphate, iron oxide (E 172), titanium dioxide (E 171) and gelatine.

Treating gastric reflux with Losec

Losec capsules 20mg contain omeprazole, which is used to treat conditions caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD). Gastric reflux is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus, because the sphincter (muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach) that normally acts as a one-way valve and prevents backflow of stomach contents, does not function properly or is damaged. Symptoms caused by gastric reflux include heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), and damage to the oesophagus causing inflammation (oesophagitis). Omeprazole in Losec capsules 20mg reduces acid secretion by parietal cells of the stomach wall, by blocking the action of the enzyme H+/K+-ATPase, which is responsible for acid production. This action of omeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophagitis, relieves symptoms caused by excess gastric acid like heartburn and dyspepsia; as well as helping damaged tissues caused by excess acid to heal.

Losec for peptic ulcers

Losec capsules 20mg contain the active ingredient omeprazole, which is used to treat and prevent peptic ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers or damage to the stomach lining) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers or damage to the lining of the upper intestine), caused by excess secretion of gastric acid; and gastric ulcers caused by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Losec capsules 20mg are also used as combination therapy to treat and prevent gastric ulcers that are caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, in conjunction with using antibiotics. Omeprazole in Losec capsules 20mg reduces acid secretion by parietal cells of the stomach wall, by blocking the action of the enzyme H+/K+-ATPase, which responsible for acid production. This action of omeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage to the stomach wall and allows ulcers that have already developed to heal.

What are the side effects of Losec?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Losec capsules 20mg, include: constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind (flatulence), headache, skin rash, dizziness, sensation of tingling in the skin (paraesthesia), insomnia.

When should Losec not be used?

You should not use Losec if you:

• are allergic to omeprazole, any other proton pump inhibitor or any ingredients in Losec
• taking medication that interacts with Losec, including: the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole, the anticoagulant warfarin, phenytoin for epilepsy, the antiretroviral atazanavir, the antibiotic clarithromycin, the immunosuppressive tacrolimus, the sedative diazepam, the immunosuppressant tacrolimus

How should Losec be taken?

You should take your Losec capsules 20mg with a glass of water, with or without food, once a day in the morning. You should swallow the capsules whole and do not chew or crush them. If you cannot swallow your capsules, you can empty the contents into a glass of non-carbonated water or fruit juice. And drink within 30 minutes. You should continue to take your Losec capsules 20mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually for 2-8 weeks, depending on the condition you are being treated for.

How long should you take Losec?

You should continue to take your Losec capsules 20mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually for 2-8 weeks, depending on the condition you are being treated for.

Missed dose of Losec

If you miss a dose of Losec capsules 20mg, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Losec be stored?

You should store your Losec capsules 20mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.