Omeprazole: what it is and what it's used for

Here's everything you need to know about Omeprazole, including what it's used for and how long it takes to work: You can buy omeprazole 10mg tablets without a prescription over the counter from pharmacies for: • Relieving indigestion and heartburn related to excess production of stomach acid. • Helping to get rid of the bacteria in the gut (Helicobacter pylori) that cause peptic ulcers (it needs to be used in combination with antibiotics to achieve this). • Preventing and treating stomach irritation or peptic ulcers caused by anti-inflammatory painkillers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or diclofenac. Omeprazole is a type of medicine called a proton pump inhibitor. When taken with antibiotics to help eradicate H pylori bacteria from the stomach, omeprazole helps create a less acidic environment in the gut in which the antibiotics can be more effective at killing the bacteria. Omeprazole helps protect your gut if you're taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller like diclofenac. If you've bought omeprazole without a prescription you should see your doctor if your symptoms haven't got better after taking it for two weeks.