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Page: Omeprazole
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Omeprazole (INN) (IPA: [o??m?pr?zo?l]) is a proton pump inhibitor (brand names Antra® in Italy) used in the treatment of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It was first marketed by AstraZeneca as the magnesium salt omeprazole magnesium under the trade names Losec and Prilosec, and is now also available from generic manufacturers under various trade names. Omeprazole is one of the most widely prescribed drugs internationally and is available over the counter in some countries.
Facing the loss of patent protection and competition from generic manufacturers, AstraZeneca developed, launched, and heavily marketed esomeprazole (Nexium), a single enantiomer form of omeprazole. While it has been proven that only enantiomers in the "active" form are effective and others are not, the clinical significance of this is unclear.
In 1990, at the request of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the brand name Losec was changed to Prilosec to avoid confusion with the diuretic Lasix (furosemide). Unfortunately, the new name has led to confusion between omeprazole (Prilosec) and fluoxetine (Prozac), an antidepressant.
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Important notice:
The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other
qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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