Losec
Medication features
- Original Brand
- Better Value Generic Version Available Omeprazole
- ONCE or TWICE daily dosing
- Short term treatment
Overview
Buy Losec Online in the UK
Written by Clinical Pharmacist Tyson Wilkman
You can buy your Losec 20mg Capsules from Simple Online Pharmacy using our UK registered online doctor and pharmacy service. After you complete a safety assessment, our doctor reviews your request. If the medicine is appropriate for you, a prescription is processed at our UK pharmacy and your medicine is sent to your chosen address with the Royal Mail service.
If our doctors believe it is in your best interest to see your regular GP or have a follow-up test, a full refund is given on your order.
What is Losec?
Losec is a medicine used for acid reflux (heartburn). It is the original version of the well-known drug omeprazole. It belongs to a family of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) which are used to treat the overproduction of acid in the stomach. It may also be used in stomach conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Our service can provide supplies of short term Losec to get your acid reflux under control.
Losec Summary
Dose | Take ONE to TWO capsules daily as directed by your doctor as required |
Mechanism | Lowers the amount of stomach acid released by the body |
Available Strengths | 10mg & 20mg Capsules |
Active Ingredient | Omeprazole |
Price | from £14.99 |
Side Effects | Can include headache, flatulence, stomach pain, nausea |
Losec Prices
10mg Capsules x 28 | £14.99 |
20mg Capsules x 28 | £18.99 |
20mg Capsules x 56 | £32.99 |
*All prices include doctors assessment (prescription) and medicine.
How does Losec work?
Losec (omeprazole) works by reducing the amount of gastric (stomach) acid that is released into the stomach from the cells that produce them. By reducing the amount of acid in the stomach, Losec returns balance to a stomach that has too much acid, improving symptoms such as burning and regurgitation.
How to take Losec
It is generally recommended you take your medicine in the morning. You may take it with or without food. You should swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water. It is important you do not crush, chew or empty the capsules as the capsule is formulated to withstand stomach acid and to be absorbed in the small intestines. The capsule is not to be chewed or crushed. Breaking the capsule before or during taking it may result in it being ineffective. If you have trouble swallowing capsules you may need to contact your doctor for an alternative medicine option.
If you miss a dose and you are not close to your next dose time, take it once you remember it. If you are already close to your next usual dose time, skip the missed dose, do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten capsule.
Treatment Comparison
Omeprazole / Losec | Ranitidine / Zantac | |
Ingredient | Omeprazole 10 or 20mg | Ranitidine 150 or 300mg |
Mechanism of Action | PPI - reduces acid in stomach | H2 Blocker - reduces acid in stomach |
Common Side Effects | Diarrhoea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. | Diarrhoea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. |
Dosage | One tablet up to twice daily as required | One tablet up to twice daily as required |
Losec Warnings & Precautions
To ensure the medicine is safe and effective for you, it is important that you enter all your information accurately when completing our doctor’s assessment. You should consider the following warnings from the manufacturer of the medicine.
Do not take Losec if you:
- Are allergic to omeprazole or any of the listed ingredients
- Have had a bad or allergic reaction to any proton pump inhibitor in the past
- Are taking nelfinavir
Signs of an allergic reaction can include swelling, difficulty breathing and skin rash. If this happens, stop taking the medicine and seek medical attention.
It is important that you inform your doctor of the following situation before or during when you take Losec if they occur:
- If you experience unexplained sudden weight loss
- Get long term stomach pain
- Experience joint pain
- Pass blackened or darkened stools
- Vomit food or blood
While these are very unlikely to occur they could indicate other serious underlying conditions that need to be assessed by your doctor.
Other Medicines and Losec
You must inform your prescribing doctor of all medications you currently take before you take Losec. Changes in stomach acidity can result in changes in absorption and therefore effectiveness of other medicines. To ensure safe prescribing, always provide an accurate list of medicines are inform doctors of your Losec treatment when being prescribed other medicines.
Losec Side Effects
Like all medicines, Losec has the potential to cause some side effects but this does not mean everyone will experience them.
Common (up to 1 in 10) side effects include:
- Headaches
- Stomach pain
- Flatulence
- Nausea
- Constipation or diarrhoea
There is up to a 1 in 100 chance that you may experience one of these uncommon side effects:
- Dizziness
- Swelling of the ankles and feet
- Lethargy
- Insomnia
For a complete list of potential side effects, you may read the patient information leaflet.
Losec alternatives
There are many different acid reflux and heartburn treatments available. Each varies in strength and effectiveness. For this reason, you should always speak to your doctor or pharmacist about what medicine is right for you based on your current symptoms.
Other prescription-only options include other proton pump inhibitors such as:
Each treatment can affect people differently, it is worth consulting your doctor if you are unsure which PPI would suit you best.
There are over the counter options which may be more suitable for those who only experience mild to moderate symptoms infrequently. These over the counter options for acid reflux include:
These medicines work to neutralise the excess acid produced.
What is Acid Reflux?
Acid reflux is when the stomach acid comes up into your oesophageal pathway or throat. This can result in a burning sensation and an unpleasant taste in your mouth.
Is acid reflux dangerous?
Acid reflux is very common and generally eases with lifestyle changes and treatment. If left untreated, chronic acid reflux can be dangerous long-term. The stomach acid can damage the oesophagus leading to complications and in rare cases can eventually cause oesophageal cancer.
How common is acid reflux?
Acid reflux occurs in about 1 in 5 of us, however, as we get older, the majority of us are likely to experience the symptoms of heartburn.
What causes acid reflux?
Acid reflux is caused when proton pumps in your stomach create too much stomach acid which can then rise up to the back of your throat.
How do you get rid of acid reflux?
There are a number of methods in getting rid of acid reflux. These may be either dietary considerations or medications such as Gaviscon or omeprazole. Details can be found in 'Stop the burn'.
When do I need to see a doctor?
You should see your GP if you are having symptoms regularly, you have difficulty swallowing and if over the counter medications are not helping. If any of the following symptoms occur, seek medical advice:
- Persistent vomiting
- Vomiting blood
- Unexplained weight loss
FAQ
Acid Reflux FAQ
What is Acid Reflux?
Is acid reflux dangerous?
How common is acid reflux?
What causes acid reflux?
How do you get rid of acid reflux?
When do I need to see a doctor?
How common is acid reflux?
Acid reflux occurs in about 1 in 5 of us, however, as we get older, the majority of us are likely to experience the symptoms of heartburn.What else can help with acid reflux?
Acid reflux can become worse when eating fatty food, smoking, drinking caffeinated drinks and eating chocolate. Avoiding these may help reduce symptoms. Being overweight and stress have also been shown to make acid reflux more common.When do I need to see a doctor about heartburn?
You should see your GP if you are having symptoms regularly, you have difficulty swallowing and if over the counter medications are not helping. If any of the following symptoms occur, seek medical advice: Persistent vomiting Vomiting blood Unexplained weight loss
Compare
Treatment Comparison
Omeprazole / Losec | Ranitidine / Zantac | |
Ingredient | Omeprazole 10 or 20mg | Ranitidine 150 or 300mg |
Mechanism of Action | PPI - reduces acid in stomach | H2 Blocker - reduces acid in stomach |
Common Side Effects | Diarrhoea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. | Diarrhoea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. |
Dosage | One tablet up to twice daily as required | One tablet up to twice daily as required |
Reviews
Info Leaflet
Before you take any medicines it is important to be aware of the information contained in the patient information leaflet. The Losec patient information leaflet can be found here:
Ingredients
Losec Ingredients
Each gastro-resistant capsule contains the following active ingredient: 10-20mg of Omeprazole
The other ingredients are disodium phosphate dihydrate, hydroxypropylcellulose, magnesium stearate, mannitol, cellulose microcrystalline, macrogol (polyethylene glycol 400), sodium laurilsulfate, iron oxide E172 methacrylic acid – ethyl acrylate copolymer (1:1) dispersion 30 per cent, titanium dioxide E171, gelatine, printing ink (containing shellac, ammonia, hypromellose, lactose anhydrous, potassium hydroxide and black iron oxide E172), silica colloidal anhydrous and paraffin liquid.
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