Omeprazole and acid reflux: A guide for seniors

Living with acid reflux can be a challenge, and it can impact how well we feel. But you don’t have to struggle with it every day. Healthy lifestyle changes and medications like omeprazole—otherwise known as Prilosec OTC®—can help relieve the burning sensation of heartburn and acid reflux.

Learn what acid reflux is, how omeprazole helps lessen it and how CenterWell Pharmacy® can support you in your journey to stop heartburn.

The basics of heartburn and acid reflux

Acid reflux, heartburn and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) are all terms used to describe uncomfortable—and sometimes serious—health conditions caused by the backflow of stomach acid. While these terms may be used interchangeably, the conditions they refer to are a little different:¹

• Acid reflux describes stomach acid backing up into the esophagus, which can irritate your throat.
• GERD is a chronic condition caused by repeated acid reflux. It can cause symptoms like heartburn, difficulty swallowing and a sour taste in the mouth.
• Heartburn is a specific type of acid reflux felt as a burning sensation in the chest.

How omeprazole helps with acid reflux

Omeprazole is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication that helps soothe the burning sensation of heartburn by lessening the amount of acid in your stomach. This keeps that acid from flowing back up into your esophagus.² It’s important to note that omeprazole doesn’t work right away. It can take several days to make your symptoms go away.³

Omeprazole can also be used to treat related conditions that can damage the throat, including erosive esophagitis, digestive tract bleeding, and dyspepsia, an acid reflux condition that can cause upset stomach and indigestion. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotics along with omeprazole to treat certain ulcers.²

Important things to know about omeprazole

Here’s the good news: omeprazole is considered a safe drug. While the risks are low, some rare side effects in adults can include headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.⁴ Seniors may be more sensitive to these side effects.²

Before you start treatment, you should let your doctor know if you’ve recently had chest or stomach pain, chronic heartburn for over 3 months, trouble swallowing, unexplained weight loss, wheezing or vomiting with blood.³

Also talk to your doctor if you have low levels of potassium, calcium or magnesium, because any of these could make taking omeprazole less safe.³ In addition, if you have lupus or kidney disease, omeprazole could make the symptoms worse.⁵

Follow these steps to safely use omeprazole

• Talk to your doctor before you start and if you start experiencing side effects
• Stick to a healthy diet and exercise plan
• Watch for drug interactions with rilpvirine or food interactions with cranberry²
• Follow the instructions, and take it about 30 minutes to an hour before eating⁴

How CenterWell Pharmacy can help

While omeprazole can help make acid reflux be less of a pain, it’s not the only solution. Dealing with acid reflux and heartburn may mean making changes to your diet, getting more exercise and drinking more water.

CenterWell® healthcare providers can also help you decide whether this medication is right for you. Then, you can shop our OTC store for omeprazole tablets and other items to ease your symptoms. If you have questions about your meds, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time.

Your well-being is at the center of everything we do.

Sources

1. “Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),” Mayo Clinic, last accessed Jan. 28, 2025.
2. “Omeprazole (oral route),” Mayo Clinic, last accessed Jan. 28, 2025.
3. “Omeprazole Tablets,” Cleveland Clinic, last accessed Jan. 28, 2025.
4. Neal Shah; William Gossman, “Omeprazole,” National Library of Medicine, last accessed Jan. 28, 2025.
5. “Omeprazole,” Drugs.com, last accessed Jan. 28, 2025.

Disclaimer: This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your doctor to determine what is right for you.