Get Informed: Prilosec
Active Ingredient(s)
Omeprazole
What does it do?
This product is commonly used in the treatment of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). It works by reducing production of acid in the stomach.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 7:34 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Prilosec
- Omeprazole
- Prilosec OTC
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 14 Sep 1989
- Est US Patients*
- 8,649,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- Yes
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Prilosec or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Recent alerts for Prilosec
Prilosec Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Prilosec used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 50,700 patients that use Prilosec (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Heartburn / GERD | 87% | 
|
| Stomach Ulcers | 5% |
|
| Hiatal Hernia | 4% |
|
| Other | 13% |
|
How well does Prilosec work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 50,700 users taking Prilosec (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 80%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Prilosec outweigh the bad things.
- 18%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Prilosec.
Common Side Effects of Prilosec
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 50,700 users taking Prilosec (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
17% of patients experience side-effects on Prilosec
1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Prilosec
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Diarrhea
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Altered Taste/Smell, Back Pain, Bloating/Gas, Chest Pain/Tightness, Constipation, Cough, Dizziness, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Loose Stool, Muscle Pain, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Nausea/Vomiting, Palpitations, Vitamin Deficiency
Global Patient Feedback for Prilosec (Omeprazole) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I was just put on this drug. The NP says we are going to try this, and if it doesn't get anybetter in a month, she may schedule me for a scope.=(
I have trouble when I eat, it feels as though what I swallow gets down so far, and it has to slide past something and it really hurts! The pain is in the middle of my sterum and it goes thru to my back, between my shoulder blades.
I sure hope this works.
54 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-10 17:20:38
Question/Comment:
I am an Asian female with limited Scleroderma. After taking over a year, I stopped taking Omeprazole 10 mg after reading your safety report. A month and a half ago I replaced Omeprazole with Pepcid 40 mg twice a day. It worked for a while with 40 mg per day, but it has lost its effectiveness after a few weeks, and I'm back to Omeprazole. Is 10 mg safe enough for me to take, or should I switch to Prilosec OT? I asked my doctor, but he didn't even know about Prilosec's effect on Asians.
64 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-02 16:29:55
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Prilosec OTC is actually 20mg, so that would be an increase from what you are taking now. Using the lowest possible dose available, which is 10mg, is safer for you. Asians tend to have a slower metabolism than Caucasians, which is why a lower dose is needed.
Posted: 2009-11-03 00:29:58
Question/Comment:
My prescription plan has advised to save money I should ask my Dr. to change me from Nexium to omeprazole. Is this a good idea. I have been on Nexium for several years.
66 year old female
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-18 12:54:10
Question/Comment:
what do you recommend for stomach and dudonal ulcer, throat and mouth
59 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-27 09:34:37
Answer/Reply:
I have beem taking losec for two months. It was good for some days. But the problem started again. What ealse should I do?
59 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-27 09:39:03
Question/Comment:
My doctor just prescibed ranitidine and omeprazole, ranitidine for bedtime and omeprazole for daily use. is this a good thing. Thank you Leona
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-02 13:56:23
Answer/Reply:
I am a 47 year old female, I have been taking Prilosec for 5 years, I have recently read that you are only suppose to take it for 4 to 8 weeks maximum. I can't stop taking it. When I try the acid reflux is so bad. Be careful about takng anything for GERD too long, because you won't be able to stop.
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-25 10:50:30
Answer/Reply:
I have been taking those medications for almost 2 years. They work fine. If I don't feel any heartburn at night I skip the ranitidine. You don't need to take it regularly as it is fast acting. I also use tums and pepto when needed.
46 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-28 10:29:13
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
68
Patient Comments about
Prilosec