11 Facts About Omeprazole

Omeprazole, sold under the brand names Prilosec and Losec, among others, is a medication used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, and Zollinger–Ellison syndrome.

Omeprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor and its effectiveness is similar to other PPIs.

Omeprazole was patented in 1978, and approved for medical use in 1988.

Omeprazole can be used in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcers, erosive esophagitis, Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, and eosinophilic esophagitis.

Omeprazole is a competitive inhibitor of p-glycoprotein, as are other PPIs.

Omeprazole is completely metabolized by the cytochrome P450 system, mainly in the liver, by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 isoenzymes.

Omeprazole contains a tricoordinated sulfinyl sulfur in a pyramidal structure and therefore can exist as either the - or -enantiomers.

Omeprazole is a racemate, an equal mixture of the two.

Omeprazole undergoes a chiral shift in vivo which converts the inactive -enantiomer to the active -enantiomer, doubling the concentration of the active form.

Omeprazole was first made in 1979 by Swedish AB Hassle, part of Astra AB.

Omeprazole is available as an oral suspension of enteric-coated beads in the UK as an unlicensed product.