Omeprazole
What is it?
Omeprazole is a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It reduces the amount of acid produced in the stomach, and is used to treat indigestion, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers.
Benefits
What are the benefits of using omeprazole in pregnancy?
Indigestion and acid reflux are common in pregnancy and can cause pain and discomfort. Use of omeprazole can greatly improve these symptoms.
Omeprazole can also help stomach ulcers to heal and prevent serious complications.
Risks
Are there any risks of using omeprazole during pregnancy?
Omeprazole is commonly used in pregnancy. There is no good evidence that omeprazole or other drugs from the PPI family are linked to miscarriage, birth defects, stillbirth, preterm delivery, or low infant birth weight.
Some (but not all) studies have shown possible links between use of medicines in pregnancy that reduce stomach acid production, and allergy and asthma in children. Further research is required to determine whether there is a true link. Reassuringly, the studies all showed that the vast majority of exposed children did not have allergies or asthma.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking omeprazole?
Possibly. Some women with indigestion and acid reflux find that their symptoms can be improved with lifestyle measures such as avoiding fatty foods, ensuring that they do not gain too much weight, not smoking, and sleeping with the head of their bed raised. Other medicines such as antacids or alginates (e.g. Gaviscon) can also be tried before omeprazole is used.
Medicines other than omeprazole can be used to treat a stomach ulcer. If you have any concerns, you can arrange to speak to your GP or specialist, but you should not stop taking omeprazole or change your medicine unless upon medical advice.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines to treat indigestion, acid reflux, or stomach ulcers?
Indigestion and acid reflux are uncomfortable and sometimes painful, but when experienced short-term in pregnancy, generally do not pose a significant health risk. Therefore, some pregnant women may choose not to use treatments. However, if indigestion and acid reflux are affecting quality of life (such as causing pain, affecting sleep etc) then the benefits of treatment may outweigh any worries about hypothetical risks. Your doctor or midwife will be happy to discuss any of your concerns.
Medicines prescribed to treat stomach ulcers should not be stopped or changed unless upon the advice of a GP or specialist.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
Most women will be offered a scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check their baby’s wellbeing as part of their routine antenatal care. No additional monitoring is required following use of omeprazole.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken omeprazole?
We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes omeprazole.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org
Will my baby need extra monitoring during pregnancy?
Most women will be offered a scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to look for birth defects as part of their routine antenatal care. Taking omeprazole in pregnancy is not expected to cause problems that would require extra monitoring of your baby.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken omeprazole?
We would not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father took omeprazole before or around the time you became pregnant.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.