Omeprazole Capsules (10mg, 20mg, 40mg)

Acid reflux can cause pain and discomfort due to excessive acid being produced by the stomach which is typically triggered by certain types of food. Fotunately, acid reflux is easy to treat with Omeprazole capsules, which can help to suppress the painful symptoms of acid reflux within just 1-2 hours.

You can buy Omeprazole capsules online from Medicine Direct following an online consultation with our UK prescribers.

What is Omeprazole?

Omeprazole belongs to a group of medicines known as proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs). It is a commonly prescribed and effective acid reflux treatment.

As a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI), Omeprazole works by suppressing the activity of proton pumps, which produce acids in the stomach. This decreases the amount of acid in your stomach, relieving acid reflux and the symptoms of heartburn.

Omeprazole is available in doses of 10mg, 20mg and 40mg, however omeprazole is also available over the counter in lower doses than the typical prescription strength versions of Omeprazole.

What is Omeprazole used to treat?

Stomach acid is vital for the digestive process, as it breaks down the food before it reaches the intestine. The oesophagus is protected from these acids by a group of muscles, but sometimes an excessive amount of acid can enter the oesophagus, which is known as acid reflux.

This medicine can relieve symptoms for up to 72 hours; the acid levels in your body will return to their previous levels between three and five days after you stop taking Omeprazole.

Omeprazole 20mg can also be used to treat Gastritis. It is also highly recommended for individuals taking over the counter painkillers such as naproxen or aspirin on a consistent basis as this can erode the stomach lining leading to Gastritis.

Why is Omeprazole recommended for treating acid reflux?

Omeprazole has been used to treat acid related conditions since 1989. Omeprazole is a widely used medicine and is often included on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines which lists medicine considered to be the safest and most effective for the global health system.

Proton Pump Inhibitors as a drug class, including Omeprazole; are considered to be remarkably safe and effective at treating individuals with peptic ulcer disorders.

Adverse effects in people currently using PPI's is also estimated to be extremely low at just 1-3% of all patients. 

How do Omeprazole capsules work?

Proton pumps are very small substances located within the lining of the stomach, that help the stomach to produce acid in order to digest food. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and works by stopping the proton pumps from working properly and as a result decreases the level of acid that is produced.

The inhibitory effects of Omeprazole are fast acting and can be felt within just 1 hour of taking it. The maximum effects of Omeprazole will occur within 2 hours and can last for approximately 72 hours.

Who can take Omeprazole capsules?

While this proton pump inhibitor is generally considered safe for most people, you should inform your doctor if any of the below apply to you:

• You are due to have an endoscopy
• You have liver problems
• You have had an allergic reaction to Omeprazole or any other medicines in the past

If you are due to have an endoscopy, you should ask your doctor if you should stop taking this medicine a few weeks beforehand. Omeprazole may hide some of the problems that an endoscopy would normally pick up.

Can you buy Omeprazole over the counter (OTC)?

Yes, you can buy Omeprazole over the counter in the UK; typically, this will come as a lower dose than the prescription strength. You can buy Omeprazole over the counter in the UK in most pharmacies and major supermarkets. Omeprazole 20mg and below are available as over the counter treatments?

Can you buy Omeprazole 40mg over the counter?

Omeprazole 40mg capsules are not available to be purchase dover the counter. Anything over 20mg is considered to be a prescription medicine and needs to be prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist.

Can you buy Omeprazole Online in the UK?

You can buy Omeprazole online in the UK from most online pharmacies. You will be required to complete an online consultation for a doctor or prescriber to be able to assess your condition. You can buy Omeprazole online in several different strengths, ranging from 10mg, 20mg and 40mg.

Omeprazole Alternatives

Other PPI prescription medicine used to treat acid reflux include Lansoprazole and Pantoprazole which also have a very similar mechanism of action as Omeprazole. With the main difference being the active ingredient contained in each drug.

If Omeprazole over the counter does not help to relieve your symptoms, it is likely your doctor or pharmacist will prescribe a higher dose such as Omeprazole 20mg or 10mg, or an alternative.

Read our guide on Omeprazole alternatives for more information on other treatment options similar to Omeprazole.

Non-medical alternatives

In some instances, your doctor may choose against prescribing Omeprazole and other alternatives and instead recommend implementing a number of lifestyle changes to help with your condition.

Dietary changes are often recommended as a first line treatment when reading acid reflux as the condition is largely triggered by diet and certain types of food.

To learn more about how your diet can influence your acid reflux symptoms, read our guide "acid reflux diet".

Omeprazole Indications and Dosage Instructions

The dose of omeprazole you are prescribed will largely depend on the severity of your condition and overall general health. 

All of our pharmacists and doctors follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Omeprazole. The Omeprazole dosage guidelines can be seen below.

How to take Omeprazole capsules

• Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water
• The tablets should be taken whole, not crushed or chewed
• Omeprazole should be ingested 30 to 60 minutes before meals
• If Omeprazole needs to be taken twice daily, the first dose should be before breakfast with the second dose before dinner
• For patients that struggle with swallowing capsules, the contents of the capsule can be opened and sprinkled into a glass of water. Drink the entire contents of the glass within 30 minutes.

All instructions on how to take Omeprazole will be included on the dosage instructions supplied by your doctor. 

How you should take omeprazole will also depend on your diagnosis and the dose and frequency that you have been prescribed.

We recommend reading our step by step guide on how to take Omeprazole.

Omeprazole 10mg capsules

Omeprazole 10mg capsules patient information leaflet

Omeprazole 20mg capsules

Omeprazole 20mg capsules patient information leaflet

Omeprazole 40mg capsules

Omeprazole 40mg capsules patient information leaflet

For more information on the different Omeprazole dosages that may be best suited to your condition, you can read our helpful Omeprazole dose medical guide.

Omeprazole Side Effects

Common side effects of Omeprazole:

• Nausea/sickness
• Stomach ache
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Headache
• Wind (Gas)
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Faint
• Acid Reflux (also includes heartburn/indigestion)
• Constipation
• Skin rash
• Cough

Our guide on Omeprazole side effects contains more information on common and serious side effects to look out for when taking Omeprazole.

Alternatively, you should always read the patient information leaflet located within your box of medicine. This includes a full list of side effects.

Omeprazole Warnings and drug interactions

Like all medications, Omeprazole might interact with other medicine.

Please be sure to tell your doctor if you are already taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medication, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements.

In particular, you should make sure they are aware if you are taking, or have recently taken, any of the following:

• Any medicine containing nelfinavir (used in medications for the HIV infection)
• Medicines to treat a fungal infection, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole or voriconazole
• Digoxin to treat heart problems
• Diazepam, which is prescribed to treat epilepsy or anxiety, or to relax the muscles
• The epilepsy treatment phenytoin
• Vitamin K blockers or medicines to thin your blood, such as warfarin
• Rifampicin to treat tuberculosis
• Atazanavir to treat HIV
• Any medicines or remedies that contain St John's Wort, which is often used to treat mild depression
• Tacrolimus
• Cilostazol
• Saquinavir
• Clopidogrel
• Erlotinib
• Methotrexate

For more information on Omeprazole Drug Interactions.

Omeprazole Pregnancy and breastfeeding warning

This medication is safe for women to take if they are pregnant or breastfeeding.

However, if you are pregnant, it is better to try and treat indigestion without medicine.

Your doctor or midwife will suggest certain lifestyle and dietary changes you could make to cut down your acid reflux.

We recommending reading more about the recommended use of Omeprazole during pregnancy.

Omeprazole and Alcohol

Drinking alcohol whilst taking Omeprazole is fine and will not cause any adverse reactions, however it may impact how effective Omeprazole eases your symptoms.

Alcohol is a known trigger of acid reflux symptoms, drinking alcohol whilst taking omeprazole may cause your symptoms to worsen. 

Omeprazole Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Omeprazole

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics

How much does Omeprazole cost to buy online in the UK?