Prilosec OTC Dosage

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Prilosec OTC Dosage

Question:

Why is Prilosec supposed to be taken for 14 days if it stops heartburn symptoms immediately?

Answer:

Prilosec OTC is a proton pump inhibitor available without a prescription. Proton pump inhibitors block the release of acid from the stomach lining.

Almost everyone with heartburn has reflux of stomach contents back up into the esophagus. By blocking acid production in the stomach, reflux decreases, and what does wash back into the esophagus is less acidic. So there is less irritation of the esophagus and less heartburn.

There are two reasons why the label says you should take Prilosec OTC for 14 days:

1. Many people will get symptoms again if they only take the Prilosec for a few days. Taking it for the full two weeks makes that much less likely.

2. A need to take the medication for more than 14 days indicates that this may not be simple heartburn. Because you can buy this medication without consulting your doctor, the company that makes Prilosec wants you to contact your doctor if you are not better after two weeks of treatment.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

Last updated:	July 20, 2009