Exact Answer: Two Hours
Omeprazole falls under the category of medicines, and it is also traded by the brand names of Zegerid, Losec, Prilosec, and a few others. The medication is primarily used in treating medical conditions such as Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, Gastrointestinal bleeding, Peptic Ulcer Disease, and a few others.
The elimination half-life of the drug is around sixty to seventy-five minutes, and the protein binding is nearly ninety-five percent. The molecular mass of the drug is 345.42 grams per mole, and its structure contains seventeen atoms of Carbon, three atoms each of nitrogen and oxygen, one atom of sulfur, and hydrogen is responsible for filling the remaining valences.
How Long After Omeprazole Can I Take Gaviscon?
Omeprazole was first synthesized in 1978, and it was allowed for general use ten years later, from 1988. This medicine is also present on WHO’s the list of essential medicines, which signifies the importance of this drug. The drug works as a proton pump inhibitor, and it can be consumed either orally through the mouth or it can also be injected into the body through the veins. The leading working of the medication is that it blocks the release of various stomach acids. It is still unclear whether the drug is good to be consumed during pregnancy or not.
In comparison, Gaviscon is an antacid that is useful in neutralizing the acids present in the stomach. It is also helpful in providing relief from other medical conditions such as indigestion, heartburn, or an upset stomach. It can also be used in treating diarrhea and constipation in some patients. Gaviscon, just like other antacids, consists of various salts of magnesium, aluminum, and small amounts of calcium and sodium. Gaviscon is available at all medical stores and is consumed orally through the mouth.
| Case Of A Patient | Time After Omeprazole To Take Gaviscon |
| Chronic Case | Two Hours |
| Emergency Case | One Hour |
It is advised not to consume Omeprazole and Gaviscon together to have adverse effects on the body. In emergency cases where the amount of stomach acid in a patient’s body is high, one hour gap should be given between both the drugs. In chronic cases, it is ok to consume Gaviscon after two hours of Omeprazole.
Why Does It Take That Long After Omeprazole To Take Gaviscon?
Omeprazole is one of the most prescribed medicine in the world. However, the drug is so commonly used that it can also be purchased without a prescription. There is no concrete evidence that shows ill effects on the baby or the mother in cases of pregnancy. Hence, the drug cannot be proved unfit for use during pregnancy. On the other hand, Gaviscon is good to use in all conditions. It is available in liquid and tablet form and effectively controls the amount of acid in the stomach.
It is not recommended to take both the drugs simultaneously because this can lead to reactions in the body, proving harmful to the patient. The salt present in Gaviscon can react with the compounds of Omeprazole and cause a burning sensation inside the stomach. It is always advised to keep some amount of time gap between both the medicines. If a patient is unclear about the drug composition, it is crucial to advise an authorized medical practitioner before using both medicines.
There are also specific side effects of Omeprazole. Common side effects include dizziness and headache. Some patients also complain of respiratory issues such as cough and breathing problems after taking the drug. It can also cause abdominal pain and vomiting. Gaviscon doesn’t have a lot of severe side effects. It mostly only leads to headaches.
Conclusion
Finally, it can be concluded that Omeprazole is a medicine that is useful in treating multiple medical conditions. It is also one of the most prescribed medicine in the world. In contrast, Gaviscon belongs to the family of antacids and helps regulate stomach acid in a patient.
On average, a patient must wait for at least two hours after taking Omeprazole to take Gaviscon. However, if the amount of stomach acid is very high, then one hour gap is also allowed. Both the drugs have severe complications if consumed together. If a patient feels any discomfort, then a medical expert should be consulted immediately.