At what age can children take Omez? We will understand in this article. It is one of the most effective drugs intended for the treatment of pathological processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. From what age you can give Omez to children, many are interested.
This drug has a number of contraindications and possible side effects. For this reason, taking it yourself is not recommended; you should consult a specialist. Many parents wonder about the possibility and advisability of prescribing "Omez" to children, because most drugs are prohibited during this period.
In adults, omeprazole, which is part of the medication, has an exceptionally positive effect. However, the question of treating children remains open and is asked by many parents at a pediatrician or gastroenterologist appointment. Let's try to figure out the possibility of treating a child with this tool. Also find out at what age you can give Omez to children.
Age restrictions
It is most optimal to check with the pediatrician whether it is possible to give the child a drug without harming his health. Some gastroenterologists prescribe "Omez" for children from the age of two, others practice this drug from only four years old. This usually depends on the condition of the small patient and the nature of the pathology. The drug is not prescribed for children in cases where their body weight is less than 20 kilograms. In this case, other drugs are preferred in the treatment.
Some experts adhere to the position of appointing "Omez" for children from only five years old. However, quite often there are cases of illness of children with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which occurs in severe form, as well as other pathologies of the intestine and stomach. With serious diagnoses, omeprazole can be prescribed even for children, while the dosage is selected in accordance with body weight.
The official instruction does not imply the use of "Omez" for children. If the doctor decides on such an appointment, the drug should be administered under strict medical supervision. If undesirable reactions to omeprazole appear, it is necessary to discontinue treatment and consult a specialist. There are times when the drug does not give positive dynamics in the treatment of small patients, so its reception is canceled and another is prescribed. Monitoring the results of omeprazole therapy is prescribed after a few days of admission. In especially severe cases, the doctor may decide to refuse oral administration of omeprazole and prescribe intravenous administration of the substance.
In the case of capsules for oral administration, the maximum concentration of omeprazole in this case is reached after several hours, while when administered intravenously, this period is reduced to half an hour. Such performance allows you to determine how effective in the treatment of a particular patient "Omez". From what age the children should prescribe it, the doctor decides.
Contraindications
According to the instructions, the drug is not prescribed for women during the period of bearing a child and while breastfeeding, but the teratogenic effect of omeprazole has not been proven. "Omez" is prescribed in some cases during pregnancy, but in minimal therapeutic dosages. Admission in the first trimester refers to absolute contraindications and is considered dangerous not only for the fetus, but also for the woman herself.
Is it possible to give a child “Omez” without consulting a doctor? Another absolute contraindication to admission is the age of less than two years. Also, the drug is not prescribed for the disabled, children with underweight, as well as premature babies. If the pathological process in the gastrointestinal tract threatens the life of the child, it is allowed to administer the drug intravenously in combination with glucose and in minimal dosages.
Forms of the drug for children
Contrary to the recommendations of the instructions, many doctors prescribe Omez for children in the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines. The drug does not have a tablet form. Therefore, it is impossible to grind the medicine and mix it with something sweet for oral administration. Capsules do not require opening and mixing with other substances, which greatly complicates the use of the drug in children who still can not swallow the whole drug. To be more precise, opening the capsule is allowed, but the effectiveness of omeprazole in this case will significantly decrease. Doctors recommend mixing the contents of the capsule with baby applesauce.
According to the instructions for use with Omez, for children the best option for treatment is the medication in the form of a suspension. Parents note that the taste of the suspension is unpleasant, in addition, a single dose is quite large, which greatly complicates the intake of the drug by the child. In addition, when taking a suspension, many children experience a gag reflex. However, sometimes this may be the only possible drug option for treating gastrointestinal problems in children.
To prepare the suspension, you need to mix the contents of one sachet with powder with two tablespoons of water. It is necessary to use the prepared suspension immediately; it is not allowed to store it, as omeprazole quickly loses its properties.
Powder is available for the preparation of a suspension called Omez Insta. It is taken 30 minutes before a meal. However, if the child complains of heartburn or other manifestations of gastrointestinal problems, the drug is taken as needed.
The instruction for the suspension is similar to Omez in capsules, the main difference between them is the prescribed dosage and indications for use. The independent use of omeprazole can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Basically, children tolerate drug therapy well, which, as a rule, leads to a complete recovery. Therefore, despite the contraindications, pediatricians widely use the drug in their practice.
We found out whether Omez can be prescribed for children.
Indications for use
Omez, like other drugs based on omeprazole, is intended for the treatment of peptic ulcer of the gastrointestinal tract. For many, the prescription of the drug to children is bewildering, since the indications described in the instructions contain exclusively pathologies inherent in the adult population.
However, in young children, gastritis can often develop, on the background of which there is frequent burping and vomiting. The most common cause of such problems is malnutrition.
Especially frequent cases of gastrointestinal disease among schoolchildren. Children often neglect proper nutrition in favor of harmful and unhealthy snacks. Against the background of such a diet, various pathological processes develop. Even school canteens cannot boast of an absolutely healthy assortment of dishes and snacks offered to children.
Children who are two years old, Omez is prescribed for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux syndrome. When the child is four years old, the inclusion of "Omez" in the treatment of peptic ulcer and gastritis is allowed. Among other things, omeprazole has an effect on a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, which often causes problems with the gastrointestinal tract. As a rule, Omez is an addition to antibiotic therapy. Sometimes it is used in conjunction with De Nol.
Heartburn elimination
Some recognize the effectiveness of Omez in eliminating the irregular heartburn that occurs once a month. However, doctors do not confirm this fact, emphasizing that the drug will save from heartburn, which manifests itself more than twice a week.
In the case of heartburn, powders are usually prescribed for the preparation of the suspension. A diluted drug should be drunk in one gulp with an attack of heartburn. The drug tastes unpleasant, so it must be washed down with plenty of water.
Instructions for omeprazole-based preparations contain various age restrictions for admission. Some limit the age to twelve years, others allow you to take the drug only after reaching 18 years. At the same time, pediatricians, when prescribing "Omez" to children, reduce the dosage at least twice.
Omez is prescribed in the following cases:
1. Peptic ulcer.
2. Gastritis.
3. Intoxication.
4. Pancreatitis.
5. Regular heartburn.
6. Gastropathy.
7. Adenomatosis of the polyendocrine type.
8. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
If doctors record the absence of serious problems with the gastrointestinal tract of the child that do not require the use of potent drugs, enterosorbents are prescribed to the patient, the most popular of which is activated charcoal.
If a specialist does not find another effective way to eliminate the pathology of the stomach and intestines in a child, he prescribes the minimum dosage of omeprazole. This method is quick, although it involves some risks and the likelihood of adverse reactions.
How to determine the dosage of "omeza" for children?
Instruction manual
When a doctor is prescribed to a child, “Omez”, he must detail the schedule of administration, since such information is not available in the instructions for the drug. If the child is over two years old and weighs more than 20 kilograms, then the standard daily dosage of omeprazole will be 20 mg or one capsule. It is not recommended to give the child a drug for more than two months.
If the child is over four years old, then the daily dosage of omeprazole will be similar to the previous option, however, a combination with other drugs is also allowed.
Drinking Omez with something other than water is not recommended, as other liquids can significantly reduce the effectiveness of omeprazole. It is best to slightly warm the water, so the activation of the active component will occur as efficiently and quickly as possible.
If we talk about capsules, then such treatment is prescribed for children in accordance with their ability to swallow the drug whole. Damage to the shell must not be allowed, as in this case, omeprazole is activated earlier and will not have an effect where necessary.
To take the drug before meals or after?
"Omez" is taken before meals or directly during. Before prescribing the drug, the doctor collects an anamnesis, including the height, weight and age of the child, as well as the presence of contraindications and the course of the disease.
If the child's weight is less than 10 kilograms, the daily dosage for him will be 5 mg. If the weight is more than 10, but less than 20 kilograms - 10 mg. For a child whose weight is more than 20 kilograms, a dosage of 20 mg per day is prescribed. This is confirmed by the instructions to the "Omez" for children.
Adverse reactions from the use of the drug
Omez has a number of contraindications and adverse reactions. In particular, the appearance of the following symptoms signals the need for drug withdrawal:
1. Frequent gagging.
2. Feces with impurities of blood.
3. Abrupt loss of body weight.
Similar reactions to taking omeprazole indicate the child’s absorption of the drug by the child’s body and requires the replacement of Omez with safer options. Since the dosage of the drug in children is minimal, quite often there is an excess of the prescribed daily amount of omeprazole, which leads to the following consequences:
1. Drowsiness.
2. Violation of visual perception.
3. Dry mouth.
4. Nausea.
5. Dizziness.
6. Violation of consciousness.
7. Hyperhidrosis.
8. Arrhythmia.
9. The state of nervous excitement.
You can give Omez to children, but very carefully.
Children, as well as adults, may experience the above symptoms. As a rule, if adverse reactions occur, the pediatrician selects another treatment for the child. Another important feature of the drug is its ability to flush calcium from the body, which is very important for a child. Therefore, against the background of administration, calcium replacement therapy is recommended.
From what age you can give Omez to children, it is important to find out in advance.
Instructions for Omez Insta
For the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in children, the drug variant called Omez Insta is most suitable. As mentioned above, the preparation is in the form of a powder for the preparation of a suspension. The powder is a white substance with a pleasant mint aroma.
It should be borne in mind that Omez has a cumulative effect, therefore, in order to get a positive trend, you need to take it for at least five days. Treatment with Omez Insta also requires consultation with a specialist. Combination therapy will also require the approval of a doctor.
Powders are sold in packs of 5, 10, 20 and 30 pieces. Each powder sachet contains 20 mg of omeprazole. Dosages are similar to Omezu.
Analogs of this drug
The official instruction for Omez forbids its use by children, so parents are often surprised at the child’s prescription of this drug. If taking omeprazole causes healthy concerns from parents, the doctor may prefer other drugs, among which children are allowed the following:
1. "Losek."
2. "Ocid".
3. “Ultop”.
4. "Gastrozole".
5. "Promez."
6. Omecaps.
Each of these drugs has its own intake and contraindications. For this reason, you should not make your own decision about replacing one drug with another. It is important to get a pediatrician consultation on any medications that the parents intend to give the child. Adverse reactions to similar drugs cannot also be ruled out.
Reviews about Omez for children
Patients consider Omez one of the most effective drugs for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as for the elimination of Helicobacter pylori. However, doctors do not recommend abusing the drug for any reason. It is advisable to take it in a course and only if there are regular manifestations of pathological processes in the digestive tract.
Doctors agree that Omez can be given to children, but only if there are serious indications. The doctor, when prescribing one or another drug, is always guided by its safety for the child. In some cases, omeprazole becomes the only tool that can effectively solve problems in the stomach or intestines.
Special attention of specialists when prescribing "Omez" to children is given to its property to flush calcium from the body. Pediatricians recommend strictly observing the duration of the course of taking the drug, not exceeding it, as this can lead to unpredictable consequences for the body. Most often, parents are satisfied with the treatment and its results, which confirms the effectiveness of the drug.
We have found out whether it is possible for Omez children.