LOSEC

Drug: omeprazole

Brand name: Losec

Use: Gastric and duodenal ulcers, reflux oesophagitis

Losec is a proton-pump inhibitor used for the treatment of stomach ulcers, severe gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a rare condition with very high stomach acid), and NSAID-associated ulcers.

Losec works by blocking excess stomach acid production.

Cautions:

- liver disease
- pregnancy
- breast-feeding
- gastric cancer (may mask symptoms)

Side effects:

Occasional:

- GI upset (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhoea, constipation), headache, dizziness.

Less common:

- Dry mouth, insomnia, drowsiness, malaise, blurred vision, rash, itch.

Interactions:

This medicine inhibits the metabolism of diazepam, phenytoin, and warfarin.