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Omeprazole

How to Cope With Omeprazole Side Effects

Certain lifestyle changes can help minimize mild discomfort while taking this proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Hilary WeissmanSarah Gupta, MD
Written by Hilary Weissman | Reviewed by Sarah Gupta, MD
Updated on February 13, 2025
Reviewed by Sarah Gupta, MD | February 13, 2025

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is used to treat conditions involving too much stomach acid, most commonly for heartburn. It’s a proton pump inhibitor available both over the counter or by prescription, depending on what your provider recommends. As with any medication, side effects are possible but usually subside as your body adjusts.

Learn more here about how to take Omeprazole, and more information about potential concerns with long-term use here. 

References

Abrahami, D., et al. (2021). Proton pump inhibitors and risk of gastric cancer: Population-based cohort study. The BMJ.

Arteaga, C. D., et al. (2022). Gastric polyp. StatPearls.

DailyMed. (2022). Omeprazole. 

Lirng, L-F., et al. (2014). Proton pump inhibitor-related headaches: A nationwide population-based case-crossover study in Taiwan. Cephalalgia.

MedlinePlus. (2022). Abdominal pain.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). Your digestive system & how it works.

Nguyen, P. A., et al. (2020). Meta-analysis of proton pump inhibitors induced risk of community-acquired pneumonia. International Journal for Quality in Health Care.

Ruszniewki, P., et al. (2008). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use as a risk factor for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: An observational study. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Shah, N., et al. (2022). Omeprazole. StatPearls.

U.S. Food and Drug Association. (2017). FDA drug safety communication: Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea can be associated with stomach acid drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

U.S. Food and Drug Association. (2017). FDA drug safety communication: Possible increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine with the use of proton pump inhibitors.

Zirk-Sadowski, J., et al. (2018). Proton pump inhibitors and long term risk of community-acquired pneumonia in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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Hilary Weissman
Written by:
Hilary Weissman
Hilary Weissman has been a health writer for the past 6 years. She was a senior copywriter at WW (Weight Watchers) before joining GoodRx and was also a copy editor in S&P Global’s structured finance ratings group for 3 years prior.
Sarah Gupta, MD
Reviewed by:
Sarah Gupta, MD
Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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