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omeprazole
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omeprazole

drug
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Quick Summary

Omeprazole is a type of drug known as a proton pump inhibitor. These drugs work by suppressing the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach. They achieve this by inhibiting an enzyme in the parietal cells that exchanges acid for potassium ions. Omeprazole, along with other proton pump inhibitors like lansoprazole and rabeprazole, can significantly reduce stomach acid, by over 95 percent when given in sufficient doses. They are used to treat conditions such as erosive esophagitis and peptic ulcers. While effective, long-term use of these drugs may be associated with serious side effects, including an increased risk of premature death, stomach cancer, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease.12

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. proton pump inhibitor
  2. How Do Antacids Work?

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