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Prilosec

Prilosec is a prescription medication that is used to treat conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. These conditions can include things such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenal ulcers, gastric ulcers, and H. pylori infections. Prilosec belongs to a class of medications known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and works by decreasing the amount of acid in your stomach by blocking the acid production sites. Some of the common side effects of Prilosec include headaches, abdominal pain, and upper respiratory infections.

 

What Is Prilosec?

Prilosec® (omeprazole) is a prescription medication used to treat several conditions related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines. Prilosec is part of a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
 
Over-the-counter Prilosec OTC® (omeprazole magnesium) is also available for treating heartburn.
 

What Is Prilosec Used For?

Some of the uses of prescription Prilosec include treating:
 
 
  • Duodenal ulcers (ulcers in the very first part of the intestine after the stomach).
     
  • Helicobacter pylori infections associated with duodenal ulcers -- Prilosec is used in combination with antibiotics to eliminate H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, helping to heal duodenal ulcers.
     
  • Benign (non-cancerous) gastric ulcers (or stomach ulcers).
     
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) -- Prilosec helps to treat GERD by relieving heartburn and healing esophagitis (damage to the esophagus).
     
  • Pathological hypersecretory conditions -- Prilosec helps to treat these conditions (when too much stomach acid is produced), such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
     
Over-the-counter Prilosec OTC is approved to treat frequent heartburn (that occurs at least twice a week).
 
(Click Prilosec Uses for more information on what the drug is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 
(Prilosec Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;