Omeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – o-MEP-ra-zole
Prilosec – brand name

Prilosc OTC blocks heartburn for 24 hours with one pill a day.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the 20 mg (milligram) dosage of Prilosec as an over-the-counter medication. A milligram is one thousandth (1/1,000) of a gram.

Prilosec, a proton pump inhibitor, is currently available in dosages of 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg. Prilosec in the 10 mg and 40 mg size are prescriptions only.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are used for two reasons – chronic (lasting a long time) heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is a more severe form of heartburn.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are:

• Nexium – Esomeprazole
• Prilosec – Omeprazole
• Protonix – Pantoprazole
• Prevacid – Lansoprazole
• Aciphex – Rabeprazole

How Prilosec OTC is Sold

Prilosec OTC is available in 14 tablet, 28 tablet and 42 tablet sizes. These sizes contain one, two, and three 14 day courses of treatment, respectively. Do not use for more than 14 days in a row unless directed by your doctor. For the 28 count (two 14 day courses) and the 42 count (three 14 day courses), you may repeat a 14 day course every 4 months.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), pronounced – GAH-stroh-eh-SAW-fuh-JEE-ul REE-fluks duh-zeez, is the flow of the stomach’s contents back up into the esophagus. Happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn’t. May cause esophagitis. Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis.