Not all women know if they can drink Omeprazole during pregnancy. During the bearing of a child, a future mother often worsens diseases that existed even before her "interesting" position. This is due to the fact that a lot of physiological changes are taking place in the pregnant woman’s body: an enlarging uterus props up the stomach from below, because of this its position changes. In addition, acidity increases and peristalsis weakens. In this regard, all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract constantly remind of themselves. It should be noted that almost all expectant mothers develop reflux esophagitis, which is accompanied by belching, vomiting, heartburn and flatulence. All these symptoms can be removed with the help of the drug Omeprazole. Is it possible to drink this drug during pregnancy, we will analyze in this article.
What the manufacturer says
It should be noted that "Omeprazole" is not considered an essential medicine for a pregnant woman. The manufacturer informs about this in the instructions for the drug, having carefully read which, it can be understood that specialists prescribe this drug to women in a position only in case of special need and in the absence of other treatment methods. These include the following situations:
- A pregnant woman can not do without a drug according to individual vital indicators.
- The expectant mother is at a time when the likelihood that Omeprazole will have a negative effect on the baby is very small.
- The benefits of taking the drug are much greater than the possible unpleasant consequences.
- For some reason, it is impossible to choose a safer drug.
How does it work
Before answering the question of whether it is possible to drink Omeprazole during pregnancy, it is worth understanding how the medicine works. "Omeprazole" refers to a group of antiulcer drugs. It is considered a proton pump inhibitor. In other words, the drug prevents the active production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
After taking Omeprazole, the main active ingredient is in an acidic stomach and enters the cells responsible for the synthesis of hydrochloric acid. There, the components of the drug accumulate and normalize the secretion of gastric juice. In addition, Omeprazole is considered a strong bactericidal drug against bacteria that lead to stomach ulcers or gastritis.
The effect of taking the drug occurs within an hour and lasts about a day. The product is removed from the body through the intestines and urinary system.
Indications for use
The drug is considered a broad-spectrum medicine for the treatment of diseases of the stomach. Many pregnant women do not know why Omeprazole helps. It is prescribed for the following pathologies:
- Stomach ulcer.
- Gastropathy
- Hypersecretory pathologies.
- Osteoporosis.
- Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Reflux esophagitis.
- Heartburn.
As a rule, the decision on the use of the drug is made by the obstetrician-gynecologist together with the gastroenterologist.
"Omeprazole" in early pregnancy
In the first trimester, most often women experience problems with the intestines and stomach. Vomiting and nausea due to toxicosis and increased appetite for acidic and salty foods are excellent conditions for belching and heartburn. As a rule, a doctor in such a situation prescribes a pregnant woman a special diet and a safe antacid medicine (Almagel, Rennie, Neo).
Take "Omeprazole" during pregnancy in the first trimester is contraindicated. At the beginning of gestation, the drug can contribute to the formation of heart pathologies in the fetus. Up to twelve weeks of pregnancy (when the baby forms important systems and organs), a woman needs to be especially careful in choosing medicines.
Second trimester
Can I drink omeprazole during pregnancy in the second trimester? Doctors consider this period the most suitable for taking the drug. If a woman really needs therapy, the medicine is prescribed 1-2 tablets per day. The duration of such a treatment course can vary from one to eight weeks.
"Omeprazole" during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester
During this period, many expectant mothers have more frequent bouts of heartburn. This is due to a very significantly enlarged uterus. It compresses all the organs of the digestive tract. In the third trimester, the doctor is interested in the well-being of the pregnant woman in order to objectively judge the state of her health. If the expectant mother is not bothered by anything (other than heartburn), Omeprazole is replaced with a safer drug. Only in the presence of serious signs is it possible to prescribe this drug.
When there is very little time left before delivery, they refuse to use Omeprazole. This is due to the fact that the active substances of the drug pass into breast milk and remain in it for a certain period of time. That is why the drug is contraindicated during lactation.
How to apply
Instructions for use "Omeprazole" during pregnancy reports:
- A pregnant woman can consume no more than 20 mg of the drug per day. On average, the course of treatment lasts one month.
- With serious inflammation of the stomach, after one month, therapy is prescribed again, and the daily dosage is increased to forty milligrams once a day.
- If a woman has a duodenal ulcer, Omeprazole is drunk at 20 mg per day for three months. With a mild form of pathology, a pregnant woman is prescribed forty milligrams of the drug once a day for a month. To prevent a relapse of the disease, they take the medicine for a longer period, but in a small dosage - 10 mg per day.
- Gastric ulcer is treated for four weeks (you need to take 20 mg per day).
- Doctors approach the treatment of gastritis in pregnant women very carefully, since they are forbidden to take most drugs. The following regimen may be used: Amoxicillin and Omeprazole. The latter is taken at 40-80 milligrams per day for two weeks (with severe pain).
- In especially severe cases, a powder form of the drug is prescribed, from which a suspension is made. The solution enters the pregnant woman’s stomach through a catheter.
Omeprazole capsule is taken in the morning before breakfast, washed down with boiled water. It can not be chewed and opened, since the substance contained in it is very bitter.
Analogs
Replace "Omeprazole" during pregnancy with the following drugs:
- Losek.
- Ultop.
- Omez.
- "Gastrozole".
- "Helicide".
The price of each product is different. It depends on the manufacturer and the number of tablets in the package. Omeprazole costs in pharmacies from 20 to 50 rubles, and the Swiss Losek costs 500 rubles.
What harm can do
For some expectant mothers, the drug is contraindicated. These include women who are prone to allergic reactions. If the pregnant woman knows that she does not tolerate drugs very well, including the main active ingredient omeprazole, she is prescribed alternative therapy.
In addition, the drug is completely unsuitable for pregnant women who have kidney disease. It is worth knowing that taking "Omeprazole" can provoke an increase in blood pressure, and this should not be allowed to women in position. That is why you should consult a doctor before taking.
Side effects
Returning to the question of whether it is possible to drink Omeprazole during pregnancy, it should be clarified that the drug has a large list of adverse reactions. These include:
- Dry mouth, fever, dizziness.
- Dyspeptic disorders, bronchospasm.
- Liver dysfunction, bloating, changes in blood composition, allergies.
- Chronic fatigue, changes in mood, pain and weakness in the muscles.
As a rule, patients who have taken the drug for more than three months or have not observed a safe dosage of the drug encounter such symptoms. Most of the above symptoms disappear after taking Omeprazole.
It should be noted that self-administration of the drug can cause significant harm to the pregnant woman and the child. Before buying a medicine, you should consult a gynecologist.
Reviews
Most pregnant women refuse to take any medications while carrying a child. In the reviews about Omeprazole during pregnancy, it is most often indicated that nothing terrible happened after taking the drug. In most cases, "Omeprazole" is prescribed for serious health problems, with severe pain in the stomach. According to reviews, one capsule soothes pain in half an hour. Women who were pregnant and took this drug report that on the third day of treatment with Omeprazole, the pain completely disappeared.