How Can Acid Reflux Be Treated Despite Being On Omeprazole?

Posted on Mon, 22 Jan 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 Answered on

Wed, 1 Aug 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi,

I have some acid reflux problem after I wake up in the morning. I take omeprazole 20mg in the morning usually. I started taking this before dinner for last two days, but the thing didn't improve. Any suggestion?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
can take up to 5 to 7 days to have an effect

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Omeprazole is in the family of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. The dose can go up to 40 mg a day.It decreases the amount of acid produced but cannot get rid of the acid already present in the stomach

This acid can take sometimes up to 7 days to disappear. This means that it can sometimes take 5 to 7 days for medication like omeprazole to take effect because thebody has to get rid of the acid already present.

YOu would need to take the omeprazole for a few more days for it to have an effect. In addition, the dose may need to be temporarily increased to 40mg a day.

There are certain lifestyle changes that may help as well--(1)eat small meal frequently instead of large meals
(2)don't eat within 2 hours of laying down
(3)weight loss of excess weight since it presses against the stomach
(4)prop up when laying down
(5)avoid spicy foods/fried foods/onion/mint/chocolate or caffeine/citrus fruits

I hope this helps, feel fee to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (8 hours later)

Can you please advise, how long can I safely take omeprazole? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
can take it in the morning before meals

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Sorry for the delayed response

Since your symptoms are in the morning, you can take it in the morning before your meals.

Some persons take the 40 mg for a short period of time to get control then go to the 20mg dose. YOu can speak to your doctor to see if you can increase to 40mg for 1 to 2 weeks

Please feel free to ask anything else

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (5 hours later)

Hi,

I am trying to mitigate the ill feeling I get from acid reflux after I wake up in the morning. It do go away after an hour though. Which is why I changed my dose from morning to before dinner. Do you think it is a bad move?

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
depends on when the symptoms are worse

Detailed Answer:
HI

Normally, if the symptoms are worse in the morning, the medication is used at that time.
If they are worse on evenings, then it would be used in the evening.

If using it on evenings is working better for you then you can continue using it then.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar