Does Omeprazole help with gas pain?

Does Omeprazole help with gas pain?

Omeprazole may help with your pain if your gas is associated with increased stomach acidity. Even if that’s the case, Omeprazole does not start to work right after taking a dose. 

The medication needs to be taken regularly and may take 3 to 4 days to start controlling your increased stomach acid. Omeprazole can also be used to manage acid reflux caused by some medications like antidepressants (Wellbutrin, Prozac, Lexapro, etc), antibiotics, certain painkillers, etc. 

Omeprazole is usually not a good choice of medication for gas pain. There are other over-the-counter medications, like Simethicone, to help release your gas and symptoms related to it.

Medications that can help with gas pain

There are a few OTC medications that can help you with gas pain. These include:

Simethicone

Simethicone helps to break down excessive gas accumulation in the stomach and intestines, making it easier to release it. It is an OTC medication that can be found easily in pharmacies in various dosage forms such as chewable tablets, capsules, and liquid drops.

Antacids

Antacids are alkaline/basic medications that can help neutralize stomach acid and reduce bloating and discomfort. They are easily available in various forms such as tablets and liquids.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your digestive system. They can help to promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, which can reduce gas and bloating. 

Prescription medications

Some people may get gassy because of an underlying health condition, which requires proper diagnosis and prescription to get better. 

Activated charcoal

Activated charcoal can help to absorb gas in the digestive system, reducing bloating and discomfort. It is available over-the-counter in various forms such as capsules and tablets.

Advice from a pharmacist 

If you’re gassy and your stomach hurts, I don’t recommend taking Omeprazole. It’s not meant for occasional use. However, you need to look for the root cause if you frequently experience flatulence. 

There could be a certain type of food that may trigger excessive gas production in your stomach. You can try and note down if you find any food discomforting and make sure you avoid using it as much as you can. 

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References

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MedlinePlus. Omeprazole. MedlinePlus drug information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); [updated 2022 Feb 15; cited 2022 Dec 02]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a693050.html