While so much the Omeprazole As esomeprazole are drugs that belong to the same family, these have minimal differences in chemical termsbut “both are equally safe and effective,” says Juan Pablo Bravo, academic of the Chemistry and Pharmacy career of the U. Andrés Bello, Viña del Mar Headquarters.
“Being the same, they are not identical, but rather they are the reciprocal image projected in a mirror. There are some chemical nuances that could be mentioned, but they are details that in the pharmacotherapeutic result of their uses really have no relevance.” Add.
In addition, the pharmaceutical chemist indicates that the side effects of both are the same, that is, they can produce “Headache, abdominal pain, constipation (or diarrhea), flatulence, nausea and vomiting. As you can see, most of these risks are related to general digestive disorders and are more or less predictable. ”
The expert adds that in either of them if used for prolonged times, understanding that it is talking about months or years, it is called “chronic” use. And it is complicated to refer to the risks because, apart from time, what should also be taken into account is the dose that is used and, above all, who takes them: their age, their general health condition, what other medications use and even what their habits and customs are (feeding, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy/breastfeeding, etc.). There could be talk of added risks in people who have deficiency of some vitamins or minerals; if it has certain autoimmune diseases; If you have diagnosed osteoporosis.
More consumption
Regarding the increase in the consumption of these medications, Juan Pablo Bravo alert that “anyone who is going to buy at the fair on the weekend will see that many medications are sold in the street, out of all professional shelters.”
Also, UNAB academic warns “It may also be true that omeprazole and esomeprazole are increasingly prescribed. Therefore, we should ask why, taking into consideration the therapeutic indications that are described for both, which implies that before their use there was a precise clinical diagnosis, ”he questions.
Added to this, The expert clarified the myth that the consumption of these drugs serves as ‘gastric protector’since “somehow the idea of covering the stomach was installed in our society and they protect it.
Now, self -medication as a practice does not constitute a risk, this arises when self -medication is associated with a belief, a myth, a wrong idea that is even more dangerous than the single practice, ”said Bravo.
Finally, the academic indicated that The misuse of omeprazole and esomeprazole “can delay the diagnosis of malignant processes And being so effective in controlling certain digestive symptoms, people do not consider it necessary periodically, which increases their risk. ”
In short, although Omeprazole and esomeprazole are effective and safe medications when used correctly, their consumption must always be supported by a precise medical diagnosis and professional supervision. Self -medication, especially based on wrong beliefs or informal recommendations, can put health at risk and delay the detection of serious diseases. Therefore, it is key to inform yourself, consult specialists and not normalize the prolonged use of these drugs without control.
