Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Omeprazole appears to be a promising treatment for severe gastrointestinal reflux disease, duodenal ulcers, and hypersecretory gastrointestinal conditions unresponsive to H2 receptor antagonists. Omeprazole blocks the proton pump, which moves a hydrogen ion into the gastric lumen, by irreversibly binding to an involved enzyme. New enzyme must then be secreted, which takes about 72 hours. Omeprazole is generally well tolerated. The granular contents may be mixed with an acidic juice for children who cannot swallow the capsule whole.