Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets Acid Reflux Treatment

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets contains Omeprazole.

One of the most commonly prescribed medicines in the UK, Omeprazole is an effective acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion treatment. It helps to relieve symptoms including bloating and chest pain by reducing stomach acid for up to 72 hours. One pack of Pyrocalm 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets contains 14 tablets, which should be taken daily for best results.

What is Omeprazole?

Omeprazole is an effective treatment for stomach problems including heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion. Omeprazole eases recurrent symptoms including a pain or burning sensation in the chest, feeling full, heavy or bloated, frequent burping, feeling or being sick, and bringing up food. It does this by suppressing the production of acid in the stomach for up to 72 hours.

Omeprazole is safe for use in adults and children over the age of 1 year.

What is Omeprazole used for?

Omeprazole is used to treat stomach issues such as indigestion and heartburn — which is often caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or acid reflux — by reducing the amount of stomach acid in people who suffer from the symptoms frequently or persistently. It does not provide immediate or short-term relief for people who only occasionally experience indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux.

What is acid reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid escapes from the stomach and into the oesophagus (food pipe). Stomach acid is necessary for the digestive process, breaking down food before it reaches the intestines. Normally, the oesophagus is protected from these acids by a group of muscles called the oesophageal sphincter. These muscles form a one-way barrier to allow food to enter the stomach while ensuring acids and other substances remain down.

Sometimes, the oesophageal sphincter weakens under excess pressure, causing stomach acid to travel up into the oesophagus. This is acid reflux. Acid reflux typically leads to heartburn, which is the name for the painful sensation of acid irritating or burning the tissues of the oesophagus. It actually has nothing to do with the heart — it gets its name because the pain is felt at the base of the chest.

How do Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets work?

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets contain the active substance omeprazole, which belongs to a group of medicines known as ‘proton pump inhibitors’. The treatment works by suppressing the activity of proton pumps, the proteins that produce acids in the stomach. This decreases the amount of acid in the stomach, relieving the symptoms of acid reflux and heartburn.

Many people will experience occasional heartburn; however, some people suffer from these symptoms very frequently, which may be due to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

How long do Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets take to work?

Pyrocalm 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets usually start to work within 2 to 3 days, although it may take up to a month for you to fully feel the effects of the treatment. Omeprazole is not intended for immediate relief of heartburn or indigestion. It is designed to be taken daily to provide longer-term relief from stomach issues such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

You will usually be prescribed one pack of 28 capsules, which are to be taken once a day. It’s important that you complete the full course, even if your symptoms start to improve before you’ve finished the treatment.

If you’re looking for immediate, short-term relief from indigestion or heartburn, you may wish to consider an over-the-counter alternative such as Gaviscon Double Action Liquid Sachets.

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablet alternatives

Antacids, such as Gaviscon and Rennie, are over-the-counter medicines that provide effective short-term relief from heartburn and indigestion and can be taken as required. Antacids are alkali liquids or tablets that are designed to neutralise stomach acid. A dose can often provide quick relief.

Lansoprazole is an alternative prescription-only treatment that works in a very similar way to Omeprazole, and is suitable for people who suffer from frequent or persistent heartburn or indigestion. Alternatively, Famotidine also works to reduce stomach acid, but have slightly different mechanisms of action.

Full details on all available treatments can be found over on the Acid Reflux & Heartburn Advice page.

Non-medicinal alternatives to Omeprazole

Heartburn and indigestion are often caused by lifestyle factors such as overeating or exposure to trigger foods. Therefore, you can often reduce the risk by making a number of lifestyle changes. For example:

• Symptoms of GORD are likely to be much worse if you’re lying down horizontally. Consider sleeping on an incline, and avoid lying down after eating.
• Obesity is the primary cause of GORD, as excess fat puts pressure on organs such as the stomach. If you’re overweight, try to lose weight by switching to a healthier, more balanced diet and exercising more often.
• Large meals that fill the stomach are more likely to trigger acid reflux symptoms, so consider eating smaller portions.
• Try to avoid fatty, spicy or acidic foods and specifically onions, chocolate, and gluten, as well as carbonated or caffeinated drinks.
• Cutting down on alcohol and quitting smoking can also help to improve symptoms of GORD.

There are also several medications that interfere with digestion or the oesophagus in a way that might increase your risk of GORD. Talk to your GP about whether your medication might be causing your acid reflux, and if other treatments are available.

How to take Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets

Please read the enclosed leaflet carefully before use.

Patient Information Leaflets are updated periodically by the manufacturer.

• Take one tablet once a day. Do not exceed this dose.
• The tablets should be swallowed whole.
• Do not chew or crush the tablets.
• May take 2-3 days to take effect.
• If your symptoms worsen or do not improve after taking this medicine for 14 days in a row, contact your doctor.

When to take Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets

One Pyrocalm 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablet should be taken each day, unless otherwise advised by your doctor or pharmacist. For best results, you should take the capsule before eating a meal, preferably in the morning. The capsule should be swallowed whole with plenty of water.

Pyrocalm 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablet ingredients

Active ingredients: Omeprazole (20mg)

Also contains: Lactose (see package leaflet for further information)

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablet side effects

Not everyone will experience side effects when they take Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets. However, if you do experience side effects, they may include:

• Stomach pain.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhoea.
• Wind.
• Headache.
• Nausea.

Less common side effects (affecting up to 1 in 100 people) may include:

• Swelling of the feet and ankles.
• Insomnia.
• Dizziness or tingling feelings (“pins and needles”).
• Vertigo (spinning feeling).
• Skin rash and irritation.
• Generally feelings of sickness or low energy.

If you’re concerned about any of these side effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist. For full details on reported side effects, please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablet warnings

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets are unsuitable for you if you’re allergic to Omeprazole, any of the other ingredients listed above, or any other proton pump inhibiting medicines (including lansoprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole or rabeprazole).

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-resistant tablets may cause complications with other diseases. See your doctor immediately if you:

• Suddenly lose weight.
• Have trouble swallowing.
• Have liver problems.
• Develop indigestion or stomach pain.
• Notice blood in vomit or stools.
• Are over 55 and have new or recently changed reflux symptoms

Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets and other medicines

Inform your doctor if you plan on taking Pyrocalm 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets while taking any of the following medicines:

• Antifungal medicines (e.g. ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole).
• Epilepsy medication (e.g. diazepam, phenytoin).
• Vitamin K blockers (e.g. warfarin).
• Clopidogrel.
• HIV medicines (e.g. atazanavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir).
• Digoxin.
• Rifampicin.
• Methotrexate.
• Corticosteroids.
• St John's wort.
• Tacrolimus.

Please read the package leaflet for a full list of medicines that you should not combine Pyrocalm 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets with.

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine, and inform your doctor of medicines you’re taking or intend to take.

Taking Pyrocalm Control 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets when pregnant or breastfeeding

If you’re pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby in the near future, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Pyrocalm 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets. Though Pyrocalm 20mg Gastro-Resistant Tablets are unlikely to impact a breastfed child, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking the medicine if you’re currently breastfeeding.

Other warnings

Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 30ºC.

Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have an underlying medical condition, are taking any other medication or complementary therapy, or if symptoms persist