Omeprazole is a generic prescription drug that works to treat certain digestive conditions by blocking production of stomach acid. Your response to this drug may vary based on your medical history and diagnosis.
Omeprazole belongs to a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors. These drugs work by blocking the amount of acid your stomach produces.
The way a drug works is known medically as its mechanism of action.
With certain digestive conditions, stomach acid damages your stomach lining and esophagus. (Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.) Omeprazole works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces. In doing so, your stomach lining, esophagus, and small intestine become less irritated and start healing.
It depends on the condition it’s treating. For symptoms of heartburn, omeprazole generally starts to provide relief after 1 to 4 days of treatment. For conditions such as ulcers, omeprazole may take a few weeks or months of treatment to provide relief.
Note: When taking over-the-counter omeprazole for frequent heartburn, omeprazole takes 1 to 4 days to begin relieving symptoms. (You usually take it 2 or more days per week.) Do not take it longer than 14 days without your doctor’s recommendation.
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