GP and surgeon, Dr Shane Charles (MBBS, MRCS, PgDip SEM) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

'Losec is a proton-pump inhibitor that is used in the management of heartburn, peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal reflux disease and gastritis. '.

If you think Losec is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Losec contains the active ingredient omeprazole. It is a medicine in the proton pump inhibitor class, reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.

Losec is used to treat the following conditions in adult patients:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD
• Ulcers in the upper part of the intestine or stomach
• Ulcers infected with Helicobacter pylori bacteria
• Ulcers caused by NSAIDs
• Too much acid in the stomach due to a growth in the pancreas

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Losec patient information leaflet.

Losec is a proton-pump inhibitor. It works by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach in order to provide relief for GERD symptoms and allow healing to take place. The decrease in the production of stomach acid does not stop food from being digested the normal way.

Losec is effective in decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. It results in the relief of symptoms and allow healing to take place.

Losec has been proven to be an effective treatment for different conditions characterized by too much acid in the stomach.

Losec Tablets

Use Losec as instructed by your doctor. Read and understand the information leaflet that comes with the medication package.

Losec should be taken in the morning before meals.

You must swallow the capsule whole with half a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the capsule. The capsule contains coated pellets which stop the medicine from being broken down by the acid in the stomach. It is important not to damage the pellets.

If you or a child will have trouble swallowing the capsule, open the capsule and swallow the contents directly with half a glass of water. You may also put the contents into a glass of still water, acidic fruit juice such as orange juice, or apple sauce. Stir the mixture before drinking then rinse the glass with a half a glass of water and drink it. Chew the solid pieces that contain the medicine. Do not crush or chew the solid pieces.

If you forget to take Losec as scheduled in the morning, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time before your next dose, just skip the missed dose and proceed with the next dose.

Do not stop taking the medication without consulting with your doctor.

Losec 20mg

The Losec dose for an adult is usually 20 mg a day. Your doctor may prescribe a dose that varies from 10 mg to 40 mg a day depending on the condition you are being treated for. The dose will also depend on the severity of your condition.

For children 1 year or older, the dose of Losec is 10 mg a day for body weight of between 10 and 20 kg. The dose may be increased to 20 mg if deemed necessary by the doctor. For children whose body weight is more than 20 kg the dose is 20 mg a day. The dose may be increased to 40 mg when necessary.

All medicines can result in some unwanted side effects. Sometimes, the side effects are serious but most of the time they are mild. Some side effects may require medical treatment.

The following are some mild side effects of Losec:

• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea or vomiting
• Skin rash or itchy skin
• A headache
• Flatulence
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain
• Dry or sore mouth

The following are some of the serious side effects of Losec:

• “Pins and needles”
• Muscle pain or weakness, joint pain
• Mood changers, depression or confusion
• Changes in sleep pattern
• Increase in breast size among males
• Blurred vision
• Increased bruising
• Blurred vision
• Fever
• Increased sweating
• Hair loss tremor

These side effects are serious but rare. They may require medical treatment. See your doctor when you experience any of these symptoms.

The following are very serious side effects that required urgent medical care or hospitalization:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty of breathing
• Swelling of the face, mouth, lips, tongue or through resulting in difficulty of breathing
• Blood in the urine
• Ulcers, blisters, or bleeding of the eyes, mouth, lips, nose and genitals
• Signs of liver inflammation such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, nausea, feeling of generally unwell, and loss of appetite

Immediately call emergency medical services if you experience any of these side effects.

Immediately tell your doctor if you observe anything that is making you feel unwell.

Do not take Losec if you are allergic to it or any other ingredient of this medicine that are listed in the information leaflet.

Do not take Losec if you have an allergy to proton pump inhibitors.

Do not take Losec if you are taking a medicine that contains nelfinavir that is used for HIV infection

Talk to your doctor before you start taking Losec.

Taking a proton pump inhibitor, such as Losec< for over a period of more than a year may increase your risk of fracture in the spine, hip, or wrist. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis, or if you are taking corticosteroids that will increase your risk of osteoporosis.

You may need to stop your treatment with Losec if you get a rash on your skin, especially in areas exposed to the sun.

Consult your doctor before taking Losec if you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or if you planning to get pregnant.

Losec is passed into the breast milk but will not likely influence the nursing infant. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you take Losec while breastfeeding.

Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking or have just taken before you start taking Losec. Ask your doctor if any of the medicines you are taking will interact with Losec.

You can safely buy Losec online at UK Meds. You will need to have first an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Losec is the right medication for your medical condition.

Losec is a branded version of Omeprazole. There was a comparison of the effects of Lansoprazole vs Omeprazole posted at NCBI. They determined that:

lansoprazole and omeprazole had a comparable effect on gastric acidity in patients with established GERD with esophagitis. However, 30 mg lansoprazole daily reduced the acidity in the oesophagus and the number of refluxes more effectively than 20 mg omeprazole daily

In summary, Lansoprazole was more effective in treating GERD than 20mg Omeprazole. Your doctor will help decide which medicine is best for you to take. If you wish to buy Lansoprazole, you can get this medication at UK Meds.

More Information

• What is Omeprazole used for?