What Other Information Should I Know
Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you have about taking this medicine.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Omeprazole For Gas Pain
Omeprazole helps to reduce acid levels, helping with indigestion or GERD symptoms, but it can take some time to start working. Not only does it typically need to be taken once a day, 30-60 minutes before a meal, it usually needs to be taken for at least 3 days for it to begin to work properly. It does not work immediately. If you are taking it occasionally for stomach-related issues, its not going to help.
Does Omeprazole Help With Gas And Bloating
Omeprazole is not anti-gas medicine it reduces stomach acid. So, It has nothing to do with excess gas inside your digestive tract. However, it can help certain types of bloating .
Depending on your specific cause of bloating and gas, omeprazole may or may not help your gas and bloating. For example, if your bloating is due to excess gas inside your digestive tract, Omeprazole may not help with gas and bloating.
If you have functional causes of bloating as functional dyspepsia, IBS, functional bloating, taking omeprazole may help with bloating and gas.
Also, bloating is frequent associated with chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Therefore, taking omeprazole for peptic ulcer disease and bloating may help both conditions.
If you are not sure about the cause of your bloating, please consult your doctor to decide whether omeprazole will help bloating and gas.
Omeprazole can help with bloating that is associated with the following conditions:
- Functional dyspepsia.
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What Leads To Bloating
Excessive gas in your stomach will indicate your body surrendering to bloating symptoms. Swallowing air, constipation, food intolerance, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth , overeating, reflux, weight gain, and menstruation in women are a few direct causes of bloating due to gas.
These are not the only causes for your body to experience bloating!
Medical conditions such as infection, inflammation, IBS, ovarian tumors, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease , Crohns disease, liver disease, and certain medications can also cause bloating, which has nothing to do with gas.
What Are The Uses Of Omeprazole
Omeprazole is a medicine that reduces stomach acid.
Uses of Omeprazole :
- Peptic ulcer disease .
- H. Pylori infection.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease .
- Functional dyspepsia.
Functional Dyspepsia is very common it is one of the common causes of bloating. Functional dyspepsia affects about 5-11% of people worldwide .
Omeprazole can help functional dyspepsia-related bloating. Functional dyspepsia is one of the few occasions where omeprazole can relieve bloating and gas.
Also, Bloating is one of the associated symptoms of peptic ulcer disease .
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Causes And Risk Factors
There are several risk factors that are considered to play a role in the conditions cause, such as vagus-nerve damage. The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body and is responsible for many functions. It is especially essential for proper operation of the digestive tract. If the vagus nerve is damaged, transfer of food from the abdomen to the small intestine is reduced because the muscles will not operate properly.4
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are known to damage the vagus nerve. Some autoimmune diseases and virus infections are also believed to have a negative impact on the vagus nerve. In certain cases, the vagus nerve stops working properly due to drinking excessive alcohol. Surgical complications could also affect the vagus nerve.4
Other factors that can increase the risk of gastroparesis include abdominal or esophageal surgery, infection , certain medications that slow the rate of stomach emptying , nervous system diseases and hypothyroidism.4 Complications resulting from gastroparesis are shown in TABLE 1.
Sometimes, treating the cause may stop the problem. If diabetes is causing gastroparesis, patients must control their blood glucose levels. Acute hyperglycemia may impair gastric motor function as well as inhibit the action of prokinetic drugs, such as erythromycin. In patients with type 1 diabetes, gastroparesis can be an indication for insulin-pump therapy.5
Does Omeprazole Help With Gas Pain
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not omeprazole can help reduce abdominal pain caused by excess gas.
Question
Hi, I have severe gas, bloating, swelling and abdominal pain right now. I am taking omeprazole but that didn’t help much. Now I feel real pain in my chest. Any suggestions?
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff
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Understanding Acid Reflux And Gerd
Gastroesophageal reflux is a disease that may cause significant damage to the tissues and cells of the esophagus over time. Its the chronic form of acid reflux.
GERD occurs when stomach acids back up into the esophagus due to a poor-functioning lower esophageal sphincter . The LES is a band of muscle that acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach.
The main symptom of both acid reflux and GERD is frequent heartburn. Other symptoms may include burning in the throat or a sour liquid taste in back of the mouth.
While occasional acid reflux is normal, GERD symptoms are persistent and typically require treatment to relieve symptoms such as coughing, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing.
Omeprazole Interactions With Blood Thinners
Omeprazole interacts with the blood thinner warfarin, and could potentially cause abnormal bleeding or even death. If you are on omeprazole and warfarin, your doctor will monitor you closely and may need to adjust the dosage of your medication.
Omeprazole also interacts with the antiplatelet agents Plavix and Pletal . Plavix should not be taken with omeprazole. Another antiplatelet drug should be used. If you take Pletal with omeprazole, the dosage of Pletal must be adjusted.
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You’re Always Running To The Toilet
While most people do just fine on the medication, diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of omeprazole, Ravella says. Loose stools are never fun, but they should clear up on their own. If you’re constantly tethered to the toilet, or if you see blood in your stool, it’s time to give your doctor a call.
How Long Do Omeprazole Side Effects Last
The body clears omeprazole in a few hours, so many side effects will fade in that time. Because the effects of omeprazole on the stomach lining, however, typically last for three or more days, some gastrointestinal side effects may linger for a few days after discontinuing omeprazole. Side effects caused by combining omeprazole with antibiotics, such as taste perversions or tongue discoloration, will resolve a few days after the antibiotics are discontinued. Serious side effects associated with omeprazole, however, like bone loss, low white blood cell counts, liver disease, or kidney problems, may take longer to resolve. Report side effects to your healthcare provider.
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Experts Answers For Readers Questions
When should we take a probiotic for bloating?
Probiotics can enhance your gut health. It is better to take it before a meal for it to survive better. The timing isnt a huge factor but it is important to take at the same time each day.
Are probiotics or prebiotics better for bloating?
Prebiotics can cause bloating initially and then settle down whereas probiotics can improve the bacterial environment in our gut, making it reduce gas and bloating.
How long does it take for probiotics to work for bloating?
There can be an improvement in our digestive system within 4 weeks after taking probiotics. There can be minor side effects for the first few days of taking them but it settles down.
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Simethicone comes as regular tablets, chewable tablets, capsules, and liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken four times a day, after meals and at bedtime. Follow the directions on the package or on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take simethicone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the regular tablets and capsules whole. Chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before being swallowed do not swallow them whole. Do not take more than six simethicone tablets or eight simethicone capsules each day unless your doctor tells you to. The liquid may be mixed with 1 ounce of cool water or infant formula.
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What Are The Complications Of Gastritis
If left untreated, gastritis can lead to serious problems, such as:
- Anemia:H. pylori can cause gastritis or stomach ulcers .that bleed, thereby lowering your red blood counts .
- Pernicious anemia: Autoimmune gastritis can affect how your body absorbs vitamin B12. Youre at risk of pernicious anemia when you dont get enough B12 to make healthy red blood cells.
- Peritonitis: Gastritis can worsen stomach ulcers. Ulcers that break through the stomach wall can spill stomach contents into the abdomen. This rupture can spread bacteria, causing a dangerous infection called bacterial transloction or peritonitis. It also can lead to a widespread inflammation called . Sepsis can be fatal.
- Stomach cancer: Gastritis caused by H. pylori and autoimmune disease can cause growths in the stomach lining. These growths increase your risk of stomach cancer.
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What Are Ondansetron And Metoclopramide
Ondansetron is an anti-nausea medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting that results from cancer chemotherapy. Chemotherapy agents cause increased secretion of serotonin, which stimulates serotonin receptors in the brain, resulting in nausea and vomiting. Ondansetron works by selectively blocking serotonin receptors, thereby reducing the effect of increased serotonin due to chemotherapy. It is also prescribed for prevention of nausea and vomiting after surgery.
Metoclopramide is a prokinetic drug that stimulates the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract including the muscles of the lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, and small intestine by interacting with receptors for acetylcholine and dopamine on gastrointestinal muscles and nerves. It is used in adults to relieve heartburn symptoms with gastroesophageal reflux when certain other treatments do not work and to relieve the symptoms of slow stomach emptying in people with diabetes.
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How To Avoid Side Effects Of Omeprazole
Now that you know the purpose of omeprazole for your gas and bloating symptoms lets try and understand its properties, side effects, and ways to avoid them. Omeprazole does have side effects.
Every good gas bloating relief medication, when consumed without a proper dosage or guidelines, will trigger side effects. We always prefer to research possible side effects to ensure that you dont make mistakes in your dosage patterns.
Omeprazole is often taken in the form of tablets or capsules. It treats heartburn, GRD, gastric ulcers, H.pylori infections, duodenal ulcers, and other medical conditions.
As people have permission to buy this medicine without a prescription, the incorrect dosage triggers some mild and serious omeprazole side effects.
Omeprazole Interactions That Increase Side Effects
Omeprazole raises the toxicity and risk of side effects of some prescription drugs by either increasing their absorption or slowing down the bodys metabolism of the drug. These drugs include:
- Theimmune-suppressing drugs methotrexate and tacrolimus
- ADHD medications
- Some anticonvulsants such as phenytoin and fosphenytoin
- The HIV medicationsaquinavir
- The heart medication digoxin
These drugs can generally be taken with omeprazole, but a healthcare professional may need to monitor therapy and reduce doses if necessary.
Some drugs increase the risk of omeprazole side effects if the two are taken together. These include:
- Some cystic fibrosis drugs
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I Just Cant Stop Myself Burping
Angie Chace, 66, is a retired accounts supervisor from Portsmouth, Hants
Abdomen exam: Normal
Diagnosis: IBS with further tests recommended
Angie says: For the past three years, everything I eat or drink makes me burp, with pain and discomfort behind my sternum.
Recently Ive had a very bloated stomach and find both these symptoms get worse with foods such as onions, broccoli and bread. My bowels have never been regular.
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Dr Wests assessment: Angie doesnt smoke, chew gum, drink fizzy drinks or take boiled sweets all of which can raise gas in an abdomen.
It may be her burping is due to acid reflux. I would recommend checking for gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatus hernia with a gastroscopy.
Her bloating symptoms sound like IBS but because of their recent onset and her age, an ultrasound scan to rule out ovarian cancer would be wise.
Omeprazole And Weight Gain
Significant weight gain has been linked with years-long use of omeprazole and other PPIs to treat heartburn or GERD symptoms. The reasons are unclear but are thought to possibly be due to increased food consumption when symptoms are better controlled. Keep in mind that omeprazole is only intended for short-term treatment of heartburn, GERD, and other gastrointestinal conditions. Long-term use is only advised for people with rare medical conditions that cause hypersecretion of stomach acid. If heartburn or GERD requires long-term omeprazole treatment, talk to a healthcare professional about alternative drugs, diets, or lifestyle choices to better manage the symptoms.
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What Other Drugs Interact With Omeprazole
If your doctor has directed you to use this prescription medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions, health risks, and side effects, and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of this drug or any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.
Severe Interactions of omeprazole include:
Drug Interaction with omeprazole are:
- Omeprazole has serious interactions with at least 22 different drugs.
- Omeprazole has moderate interactions with at least 75 different drugs.
- Omeprazole has minor interactions with at least 52 different drugs.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your doctor if you have health questions or concerns.
How To Take Omeprazole
- Omeprazole is usually taken once a day for the relief of heartburn, acid reflux, or ulcers. Take omeprazole at about the same time each day, preferably in the morning.
- If you are taking omeprazole for either Helicobacter pylori eradication or for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, it is likely you will be asked to take it twice a day.
- Omeprazole can be taken before or after food, although taking it before food is best.
Capsules
- Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. The granules inside won’t work properly if they are crushed or chewed.
- If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you can open it and sprinkle the pellets over some fruit juice or yoghurt and swallow the granules without chewing.
Tablets
- Swallow the omeprazole tablet with a drink of water, or it can be dissolved in a drink if you have difficulty swallowing tablets.
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Untreated H Pylori Infection
H. pylori is a well-known stomach bug . It infects your stomach lining.
It is a frequent risk factor for gastritis, peptic ulcer disease. Some studies also linked h. pylori to GERD .
Omeprazole may cause worsening stomach pain if you take it before treatment of h. pylori.
Some studies found that inhibiting stomach acid will allow h. pylori to flare up .
The flare-up of the h. pylori infection will worsen gastritis in the long term and causes more stomach pain.
However, this assumption is still controversial. Other studies found that PPIs may result in more acid suppression in h. pylori-infected patients .
Discuss the issue with your doctor if you havent been tested for h. pylori.
Treatment of h. pylroi may stop omeprazole from causing abdominal pain.
Here Are A Few Simple And Easy Ways To Reduce Acidity Bloating And Various Other Symptoms Caused By Excessive Production In The Body
1. Chew your food properly: Did you know that digestion process begins right in the mouth, even before the food enters your gut. So, it is important to chew your food properly for enabling its proper digestion. Not chewing food properly can reduce enzyme action in the mouth, thus leading to partially digested food and acidity.
2. Drink a glass of cold milk: Cold milk is an excellent way to curb acidity. Milk is alkaline in nature and thus neutralises pH balance in stomach.
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3. Eat ajwain or carom seeds: This is an age-old remedy which has been suggested by your parents and grandparents, whenever you experience gas, acidity or bloating. All you need to do is boil half teaspoon of ajwain in one glass of water, strain it, squeeze some lime and a pinch of salt in it and drink it. Anti-acidic properties of ajwain can help in reducing acidity and its symptoms effectively.
4. Mint chaas or mint buttermilk: Mint chaas or buttermilk is another excellent remedy to reduce stomach acid. Buttermilk neutralises acid in the stomach and mint is popular for lowering acid in the body.
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Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
Your stomach acid is not pure evil. It is here for a reason.
The main function of your stomach acid is to break down food to prepare it for absorption.
It has another vital function. It kills bacteria and harmful pathogens. Also, your stomach acid prevents the overgrowth of intestinal microorganisms.
PPIs can cause a condition called SIBO . The risk of SIBO increases with the long-term use of omeprazole.
SIBO can be the reason why omeprazole leads to abdominal pain.
This relation between PPI and SIBO is not fully understood nor confirmed. Discuss the issue with your doctor. Dont stop omeprazole without permission from your doctor.
Symptoms of SIBO:
- Stomach pain or cramps .
- Nausea, loss of appetite.
- A feeling of fullness after eating .