Abstract

Omeprazole (Losec - Astra) is a powerful gastric anti-secretory drug which acts at an entirely different site from the H₂ antagonists. It is intended for the treatment of peptic ulcers which are resistant to conventional therapy, including those complicating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment, for ulcerative reflux oesophagitis and for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is not licensed for promotion as a first-line treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.