When trying to buy omeprazole online, it is important to understand that "omeprazole" is the name of the main active ingredient of the drug more popularly known by the name Prilosec. Generic omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces the amount of gastric acid in the stomach by blocking the enzyme that creates it. Omeprazole is typically used to treat ulcers (both duodenal ulcers and gastric ulcers) and erosive esophagitis, as well as other conditions related to an excessive amount of gastric acid. While the Prilosec OTC version of this drug is available without a prescription, generally a prescription is required to obtain cheap omeprazole online.

Many other drugs depend on gastric acid to break them down for absorption by the body, therefore the reduction of gastric acid coming from the use of generic omeprazole may mean that other drug dosages will require adjustment. The local doctor should be fully aware of all other drugs being used by the patient to determine whether or not readjustments are necessary. This medicine can also react with a number of other drugs, including fairly common antibiotics, so a local physician should also be aware of any antibiotic treatments the patient is currently receiving and should be consulted before the patient begins any new antibiotic treatments.

In clinical trials testing generic omeprazole, all of the side effects affecting 2% or more of participants were minor in nature and included headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea and flatulence. Other adverse reactions involving between one and two percent of trial participants included acid regurgitation, constipation, dizziness, rash, back pain and cough. All other side effects were exceedingly rare, so people observing more serious side effects after buying cheap omeprazole online should consult their local physician as these problems may indicate more serious complications or reactions. Prolonged use of this med can also result in serious side effects, but if used as instructed this should not be a concern for most patients.

When people order omeprazole online it almost always comes in the form of controlled-release capsules that are specifically designed to release specific amounts of the drug into the body over a period of time. Therefore generic omeprazole capsules should never be broken, crushed, or chewed and all capsules should be inspected before ingesting them to ensure that they have not been damaged. Patients that buy omeprazole online should store it at room temperature and away from light and moisture, which means keeping it in the bathroom is not recommended.