The dosage of omeprazole (Prilosec) will depend on the condition being treated. The lowest effective dose should be used for the shortest time possible. Long-term use may be necessary for certain conditions.

The typical dosage for the treatment of mild GERD is 10 mg to 20 mg of omeprazole once daily. For severe GERD, or erosive esophagitis, the typical dosage is 20 mg to 40 mg of omeprazole.

If you are using OTC omeprazole for heartburn, the dosage is 20 mg daily for up to 14 days. If you are still experiencing symptoms after 14 days, then you should reach out to your provider.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) suppresses stomach acid secretion. This is helpful for treating conditions where stomach acid irritates the stomach or esophagus.

Omeprazole is used to treat the following conditions:

• GERD
• Barrett’s esophagus
• Heartburn
• H. pylori infection
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Zollinger–Ellison syndrome

Omeprazole (Prilosec) may be used long term for some health conditions. The risk of side effects increases with long-term use. If you must use omeprazole long term, it is important that you use the lowest effective dose.

Your provider should also regularly evaluate your risk of bone fractures and deficiencies. Long-term use is associated with an increased risk of bone fractures as well as low magnesium levels and vitamin B12 deficiencies.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) does not interact with foods. However, certain foods may make heartburn, GERD, and acid reflux worse. Common foods that can irritate the stomach include:

• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruits
• Coffee
• Fried foods
• Tomatoes

If you find that any other foods not listed cause you to have more symptoms, those should be avoided as well.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) and famotidine can be taken together, but it should be under the guidance of a healthcare provider. Both medications are available over the counter and work in different ways to relieve heartburn.

Famotidine is a histamine type-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) that decreases gastric acid secretion. Famotidine should start working in about an hour.

Omeprazole will take consistent use over several days to notice a change in gastric acid.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) interacts with many medications. Always tell your provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, and supplements that you take. If you take any of the following medications, talk with your provider:

• Carbamazepine
• Cefuroxime
• Cilostazol
• Citalopram
• Clopidogrel
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Rifampin
• Risedronate
• St. John's wort

This is not a complete list of all medications.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is usually well tolerated, and side effects are generally mild.

Common side effects are:

• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Gas
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting

There are several different types of medications that can be used to treat heartburn. Antacids are available over the counter and include Tums, Rolaids, and Mylanta. These medications neutralize stomach acid to provide immediate relief.

H2 blockers work quickly to treat and prevent heartburn. Some are available over the counter, whereas others are available as a prescription. These include:

• Famotidine
• Cimetidine
• Nizatidine

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are stronger medications that suppress stomach acid. They do not work immediately and are used as a preventive medication. PPIs include:

• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix)
• Rabeprazole (Aciphex)