Among the various problems that plague modern society, excessive secretion of stomach acid ranks high. Affecting almost one third of the total adult population in the US, the over secretion of stomach acid is responsible for various health problems and complications. For instance, GERD, peptic ulcer and multiple health complications are attributed to excessive gastric acid secretion. Heartburn is another common condition that is known to cause acute discomfort among a significant percent of the US population. This is mainly due to the gastric acid reflux of the excessive gastric acid, that travels back up the esophagus, resulting in heart burn and other conditions. Omeprazole is one among the different types of medications used for managing the condition. In the subsequent sections we will focus on possible omeprazole 40 mg side effects, giving a better understanding of avoiding adverse outcomes.
What type of medication is omeprazole?
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor, and in addition to helping manage or control the effects the gastric acid hypersecretion, it possesses tissue healing properties. Additionally, omeprazole is also prescribed for managed of H.pylori infection. One of the reasons for the relative popularity of the medication is the tolerance levels and outcomes of the medication that make it a preferred formulation for treating the above-mentioned conditions. It is totally safe for children, proving its superior tolerance.
What conditions can be treated or managed with medication?
Omeprazole can be used for treating various conditions, most of which are attributed to stomach acid secretion. Duodenal ulcer in patients can be quickly managed or healed with a treatment regimen that includes omeprazole. As mentioned earlier, it is used for treating patients with H.pylori infection.
Adults diagnosed with duodenal ulcer are prescribed omeprazole in an effort to prevent re-occurrence of the condition. The medication is also used in adults diagnosed with benign gastric ulcer. As a medication that decreases the amount of stomach acid secretion, it is effective in the fight against erosive esophagitis, that is attributed to GERD. The safety of the medication is best seen in the fact that it can be used even for toddlers, above the age of one.
As an effective maintenance dose for all of the above conditions, omeprazole is prescribed for patients aged more than one. In addition to the above, omeprazole is also prescribed for pathologic hypersecretion and for managing GERD.
How does the medication work?
One of the reasons for possible omeprazole 40 mg side effects is the mechanism of action that may cause undesirable effects or outcomes. It is therefore necessary to learn all about how the medication works. Hydrochloric acid, or stomach acid is secreted under control of the parietal cells in the stomach. Enzymes on the parietal cells are responsible for the creation of the acid. Omeprazole as a proton pump inhibitor works by preventing gastric acid secretion. This antisecretory action is achieved by selectively working on the enzymes, wherein a binding action inhibits gastric acid from secreting. This inhibitory action, depending on the strength of the medication and the hypersecretion in the patient, could extend for as long 36 hours.
What makes omeprazole a good option?
One of the reasons for omeprazole to be considered as a good option are the antisecretory effects that work on all types of secretion. Stomach acid secretion is known to occur in two different manners, either through basal secretion or through stimulated secretion. The first type of secretion, namely basal secretion occurs when gastric acid is secreted, without any stimuli, but at specific times. The second type of secretion, stimulated secretion occurs as a result of body’s natural process when enters the body. This proton pump inhibitor works on both types of hypersecretions, making it effective in managing and handling various conditions. The actual duration of the antisecretory action depends on the dosage.
What are the commonly reported adverse effects of omeprazole?
All medications, OTC products and herbal remedies come with the possibility of undesirable effects. The nature, intensity and duration of effects differ, and are either mild/moderate or adverse, which in turn depends on various factors. Contrary to common perceptions about omeprazole 40 mg side effects the unwanted outcomes do not affect everyone, but may typically be experienced by a small section of users.
Commonly experienced effects include stomach pain and flatulence or gas formation. Patients on the medication are known to experience feelings of nausea and vomiting that may be generally experienced during the initial stages of the medication. Another effect that may be experienced in headache. In addition to the above, patients may end up with bouts of diarrhea as a result of the mechanism of action of the medication.
The side effects of the medication on children are similar, with the inclusion of fever as an additional outcome. The effects may typically last for a few days, following which the effects may resolve naturally. The fever may also typically subside after a few days. Medical intervention may be necessary only in situations where the effects persist for a longer duration, or if the effects are intense in nature.
Is there a possibility of serious effects?
Serious effects of the medication are a possibility, though it is important to add that the rate of occurrence of serious or adverse effects are extremely rare. As mentioned earlier, Omeprazole is known for its better tolerance. Adverse effects, are typically preceded or indicated through symptoms. It is necessary for healthcare workers or caregivers to be able to monitor and identify the symptoms that indicate possible adverse or serious outcomes of the medication. Medical intervention or treatment may be necessary in certain circumstances at the earliest.
A reduction in magnesium levels, is a possibility as a result of long-term use of omeprazole. As a result of this reduction, the patient is likely to experience tremors and seizures. To put it differently, the patient may feel jittery, and in some instances, there is the possibility of overall muscle weakness. Dizziness and a sudden surge in heart beat rate are other possible outcomes that are regarded as adverse in nature.
Other outcomes that are serious include an irregular pace of heart beat. Difficulty in speaking as a result of spasm in voice box may be observed in patients, while others may witness a difference in the manner in which patients speak. The spasms may also be felt in the limbs – hands/feet. As mentioned earlier, there is a possibility of overall muscle weakness, and this may be accompanied by cramps, apart from pain.
Similar to the dip in magnesium levels, there is also the possibility of a reduction in vitamin B-12 levels. This is mainly due to extended use of omeprazole. The proton pump inhibitor may affect the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B-12. There are clear symptoms that indicate the deficiency or reduction in vitamin B-12. Nervousness, tingling sensations, and neuritis or nerve inflammation are other possible conditions that may result from lower vitamin B-12. reduction. Women are known to have a change in menstruation cycle due to the lowered vitamin B-12. As the vitamin is essential for various bodily functions, deficiency has an impact on muscle coordination, affecting the patient’s ability move with coordinated actions.
The medication causes infection in the intestines; for instance, Clostridium difficile infection is responsible for severe diarrhea, and this is because of the infection in the intestines. Symptoms include severe stomach pain, watery stools and fever. In certain instances, the fever may last for a long time.
Certain symptoms indicate inflammation of the stomach lining; for instance, stomach pain, nausea, weight loss and vomiting are symptoms that that are consistent with lining inflammation. Additionally, the medication also exposes patients to certain risks – such as fractures. This occurs only in cases where the medication is taken on a long-term basis. Consequently, patients diagnosed with poor bone conditions are to seek proper medical evaluation prior to taking he medication on a long term.
Similarly, patients with kidney ailments are also to seek proper assessment or exercise complete caution when using the medication on a long-term basis. This is because of the possibility of damage to the kidneys. Caregivers and healthcare workers are to check for any change in urine color, or seek inputs about pain on either side of the lower spine. Kidney problems typically come with pain on the flanks.
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus, is another possible outcome from the medication. The symptoms that are indicative of this condition include rashes on the nose skin; and rashes that appear purple/reddish in color. The rashes may also be raised/with scales and this could be used to identify the condition.
Unsuitability of the medication for certain patients
Certain patients cannot use the medication as it is likely to cause adverse effects. The efficacy and safety of the medication on pregnant women has not been studied in-depth, and therefore pregnant women are advised to seek advice before its use. The same precautions apply to women planning a pregnancy, and nursing mothers. There is a possibility of the medication seeping through breastmilk and this may have an effect on the new born.
Patients with impaired kidneys face the common problem of the kidneys inability to process the drug. The same condition applies to elderly patients, and consequently, the medication may be processed slowly in the body, and this may pose elevated risk of side effects. Comparatively, individuals with healthy kidneys will get the medication processed smoothly and within the desired time, with lesser risk of effects. The dosage is to be modified accordingly, considering medical conditions, renal health and the age of the patient.
On a different note, the medication is known to have stronger effects on individuals from a particular race. Patients of Asian descent are likely to experience stronger effects, and this makes it necessary for Asians to take lower dosages, as per the evaluation of specialists. This will help prevent possible unwanted side effects. While omeprazole is known to be safe, it is essential to take only as per specific medical advice, when used on children. Though it is available as an OTC formulation, it is important to take the consent or advice of a specialist.
Education: Master’s in Nursing (MSN) from Johns Hopkins University. Experience: 7 years writing for online health portals and nursing journals, specializing in patient education and chronic illness management.
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