Losec

Losec General Information

Losec is a proton pump inhibitor. It is used to aid a person in reducing the acids in the stomach. When people are diagnosed with an esophagus problem related to having too much acid in the stomach, this medication can be prescribed. Acid reflux is another condition that can be treated with Losec. Originally, Losec was manufactured under the name of Omeprazole. This medicine can be acquired in nearly every location in the world. Some countries have this medicine available for people without the need of a prescription.

How does Losec work & what does it do?

Losec helps to reduce acid build up in the stomach. It can help people who have been diagnosed with stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and other related stomach problems like heartburn. Sometimes, a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic along with this acid reducing medicine. This medicine will help reduce stomach acid and it can help a person's stomach to heal if they have had damage from ulcers. The amount of healing of the stomach may depend on the severity of the damage that has occurred. This medicine also has been used to help people who have intestinal ulcers.

If a person has taken medicines like NSAIDs and have been diagnosed with ulcers or other stomach problems related to taking these medicines, Losec has been used to help treat these symptoms and to prevent them from happening. NSAIDs are non-steroidal inflammatory drugs; often used to assist in thickening the blood and they help to coat one's stomach and keep it protected when they have too much acid build up. NSAIDs have been used to help who have low levels of pain or inflammation, as well.

When and how is Losec taken?

As stated above, Losec is sometimes prescribed along with antibiotics. The amount of Losec taken will depend on what a person's diagnosis is. If a person has been diagnosed with stomach ulcers, they may take 20 milligrams of this medicine two times per day. The treatment usually is for about one week. The usual dosage for this medicine is between 10 milligrams and 20 milligrams. Other factors, besides diagnosis, will affect the dosage. The amount of milligrams taken can depend on how much a person weighs. Another factor for determining what dose a person takes is what other medical conditions a person may have.

Side Effects

As with most medicines, the most common side effects with taking Losec can be an upset stomach, headaches, bowel changes, a feeling of faintness, and possible gastrointestinal troubles; gas. These are mild side effects that can occur.

Other side effects that can occur, but are rare, are the sign of blood in the urine, blurry vision, fever, chills, or nausea, a rash or itch of the skin, soreness of the mouth or throat, water retention which shows up in the swelling of the hands or feet.

When anyone takes medicine, there is always a chance that the liver can become damaged. Signs of liver damage are eyes turning yellow, or the skin, pain in the side, feeling overly tired, and some people may develop a fever.

Other side effects that can occur are the skin turning red or feeling more tender than usual, breaking out with hives or a rash that seems to be an allergic reaction to the medicine, any bleeding from the nose or easily bruising of the skin. If any of these side effects occur, it is highly recommended to see a physician as soon as possible.

As with any medicine, some side effects could occur that have not been mentioned here.

Other Brand Names for Losec:

The brand name for this medicine is Losec. Another name that is commonly used for this medicine is Omeprazole. Another common name that has been used for this medicine is Prilosec.

Safety Information:

It is recommended that certain people should not take Losec. These people are those that are allergic to sulfur, as Omezaprole has sulfur in it. Many people do not realize they are allergic to sulfur. A person will generally break out in hives when they have an allergic reaction to sulfur and they will need to be treated for this allergy.

People who have been diagnosed with serious stomach problems should not take this medicine. Also, people who have been known to vomit quite often, have had any bleeding troubles, have had any problems with swallowing, blood in the feces, or who have had a problem gaining weight or who have lost a lot of weight for no reason are not recommended to take Losec either.

As with most medicines, it is not recommended for a pregnant or breastfeeding woman to take Losec. For the elderly and this medicine treatment, they may take less of a dosage, as it can cause the levels of the Losec to be higher than those who are younger.

As stated earlier, liver damage can occur when taking this medicine, as well as other medicines. Always keep medication out of the reach of small children and pets.

Dosage:

Losec comes in a variety of sizes and colors. It also comes in the form of a capsule or a tablet.

• The capsules come in the dosage amount of 10, 20, and 40, milligrams.
• The tablets come in the dosage of 10 and 20 milligrams.
• The tablets and the capsules slowly release the medicine to the person's body.

Visual Description:

Capsules:

• 10 mg- This one is a light pink with the number "10" written in black on one part of the capsule. On the other part of the capsule, it says "A O S".
• 20 mg- This one is light pink and light reddish-brown. The number "20" is written on it in black. On another part of the capsule, it says "A O M" on it.
• 40 mg- This one is a pretty light orange and light purple color. The number "40" is written on it in black and blue print, along with the word "PRILOSEC", looking like this: "PRILOSEC 40".

Tablets:

• 10 mg- These tablets are round and pink. On each side of these tablets, it says "LOSEC 10".
• 20 mg- These tablets are round and reddish-brown. On each side of these tablets, it says "LOSEC 20".