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Losec
Pronounced: Low-sek
Generic name: Omeprazole
Losec is prescribed for the short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks) of stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer (near the exit from the stomach), and erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), and for the treatment of heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (backflow of acid stomach contents into the canal leading to the stomach). It is also used to maintain healing of erosive esophagitis and for the long-term treatment of conditions in which too much stomach acid is secreted, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas (benign tumors), and systemic mastocytosis (cancerous cells).
Combined with the antibiotic clarithromycin (Biaxin) (and sometimes with the antibiotic amoxicillin as well), Losec is also used to cure patients whose ulcers are caused by infection with the germ H. pylori.
ADULTS
Short-term Treatment of Active Duodenal Ulcer
The usual dose is 20 milligrams once a day. Most people heal within 4 weeks, although some require an additional 4 weeks of Losec therapy.
Treatment of Duodenal Ulcers Caused by H. Pylori
In combination therapy with Biaxin alone, the usual dosage is 40 milligrams of Losec once daily and 500 milligrams of Biaxin 3 times a day for 14 days, followed by 20 milligrams of Losec once daily for an additional 14 days.
If amoxicillin is included in the treatment, the recommended dosage is 20 milligrams of Losec, 500 milligrams of Biaxin, and 1,000 milligrams of amoxicillin twice a day for 10 days, followed by 20 milligrams of Losec once daily for an additional 18 days.
Gastric Ulcer
The usual dose is 40 milligrams once a day for 4 to 8 weeks.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
The usual dose for people with symptoms of GERD is 20 milligrams daily for up to 4 weeks. For erosive esophagitis accompanied by GERD symptoms, the usual dose is 20 milligrams a day for 4 to 8 weeks.
The dose may be continued to maintain healing.
Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions
The usual starting dose is 60 milligrams once a day. If you take more than 80 milligrams a day, your doctor will divide the total into smaller doses. The dosing will be based on your needs. |
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