Omeprazole offers significant therapeutic gains in the treatment of acid related diseases. Healing rates are high in duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer and erosive reflux oesophagitis; acid production is controlled effectively in Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome and symptom relief is prompt and sustained in all indications. Less clear-cut indications where benefit might be expected but where data are limited include:
- Prevention of stress ulceration
- Prevention of the acid aspiration syndrome
- Treatment of upper gastro-intestinal bleeding
NOTE: In comparative studies, Omeprazole has been found to produce faster symptom relief and higher healing rates in a greater percentage of patients than either Cimetidine or Ranitidine, confirming the ‘therapeutic gains’ achievable with Omeprazole over existing therapies.
Proton Pump Inhibitor
Omeprazole belongs to a class of antisecretory compounds, the substituted benzimidazoles, that suppress gastric acid secretion by specific inhibition of the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme system at the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cell. Because this enzyme system is regarded as the acid (proton) pump within the gastric mucosa, omeprazole has been characterized as a gastric acid-pump inhibitor, in that it blocks the final step of acid production. This effect is dose-related and leads to inhibition of both basal and stimulated acid secretion irrespective of the stimulus.
Powder for suspension:Â Should be taken on an empty stomach. Take at least 1 hr before a meal.
Interaction
Omeprazole can delay the elimination of Diazepam, Phenytoin and Warfarin. Monitoring of patients receiving Warfarin or Phenytoin is recommended and a reduction of Warfarin or Phenytoin dose may be necessary when Omeprazole is added to treatment. Omeprazole does not interfere with Theophylline or Propranolol metabolism.
Omeprazole is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the formulation.
Side effects reported with Omeprazole in clinical studies have included nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, abdominal colic, paresthesia, dizziness and headache but are rare. Skin rashes, leukopenia and transient elevation of plasma activation of hepatic amino-transferases have been observed occasionally in few patients and there has been no consistent relationship with treatment.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.