Over the counter: 14 days, and no more often than every 4 months, without a doctor. Prescribed: as long as the need continues - some people take it for years under supervision.
The NHS long-view checklist: past 3 months, magnesium can fall (tiredness, dizziness, twitches, irregular heartbeat); past a year, fracture and B12-deficiency risks rise, so an annual review of need and dose is standard. Research suggests a small stomach cancer signal after years of use - uncertain, and a reason for review, not alarm. Best practice: lowest effective dose, annual review, and a guided step-down when symptoms have been quiet - rebound acid makes abrupt stopping miserable. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you prepare for the review.
What to do
Common questions
How long can you take omeprazole?
Two answers depending on who is steering. Over the counter, self-directed: 14 days - that is the labeled course for frequent heartburn, not repeatable more often than every 4 months without a doctor's input. Prescribed by a clinician, for conditions like GERD or ulcer protection: as long as the need continues - some people take it for years safely, with the right supervision. The long-view checklist the NHS attaches: beyond 3 months, magnesium levels can fall (tiredness, dizziness, muscle twitches, irregular heartbeat are the clues); beyond a year, the risks of bone fractures and B12 deficiency rise, so doctors should review annually whether you still need it and at what dose. Research also suggests a small stomach cancer signal with years of acid suppression - uncertain, and one more reason for review rather than alarm. The discipline that serves you: use the lowest effective dose, revisit the need every year, and ask about stepping down (every-other-day, or switching to an H2 blocker) if symptoms have been quiet - rebound acid makes stopping suddenly miserable, so tapering with guidance works better. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, that can help you prepare for the annual review.