Indication of Losec Tablets:
Used in the treatment of a number of conditions associated with too much acid production when over-the-counter antacid medications have failed:
• Gastroesophageal reflux - GORD (symptomatic)
• Erosive oesophagitis (treatment and relapse prevention)
• Duodenal and gastric ulcer (treatment and relapse prevention
• Ulcers associated with H. pylori infection (as part of combination therapy for treatment and relapse prevention)
• Ulcers associated with NSAIDS (treatment and relapse prevention)
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Action of Losec Tablets:
Losec works by inhibiting certain cells involved in acid production to reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach. This reduces erosion of the stomach cells and helps with the pain associated with peptic ulcer disease. It also helps in diseases where too much stomach acid is regurgitated back into the oesophagus.
Dose Advice of Losec Tablets:
Tablets should be swallowed whole or dissolved in water or juice and drunk, not chewed or crushed.

Adults

Symptomatic GORD:
• 10-20mg/day
• Maximum 4 weeks
Erosive oesophagitis:
• 20-40mg/day
• 4-8 weeks
• Maintenance: 10-20mg/day
H. pylori ulcer:
• 40mg/day with appropriate antibiotics (see Losec HP 7)
Duodenal ulcer:
• 20-40mg/day
• 4-8 weeks
• Maintenance: 10-20mg/day
Gastric ulcer and NSAID ulcer:
• 20-40mg/day
• 4-8 weeks
• Maintenance: 20mg/day
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome:
• 60mg/day
• Treatment should continue as long as clinically indicated.

Children > 1 year
• 10-20kg: 10-20mg/day for 2-8 weeks
• >20kg: 20-40mg/day for 2-8 weeks
Common side effects of Losec Tablets:
Losec is generally well tolerated, but the following adverse effects have been reported in less than 10% of patients:
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Headache

Uncommon side effects of Losec Tablets:
The following effects are seen in less than 1% of patients:
- Dizziness
- Oversleeping
- Insomnia
- Vertigo
- Rash
- Itching skin
- Malaise