Does omeprazole help with gas and bloating?

In this article:

• Omeprazole for gas and bloating: What the experts say
• Omeprazole vs. other treatment options
• Bottom line

In this article

• Omeprazole for gas and bloating: What the experts say
• Omeprazole vs. other treatment options
• Bottom line

Omeprazole is a generic medication that’s available over the counter and with a prescription (for higher doses) that’s available as brand-name Prilosec and Prilosec OTC. It treats heartburn and other symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as stomach and duodenal ulcers, H. pylori (used with antibiotics), Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and other conditions that cause your stomach to produce too much acid. The medicine belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. While some people may report a reduction of gas and bloating while taking omeprazole for conditions like GERD, other medications are more effective in treating most episodes of intestinal gas. 

Omeprazole for gas and bloating: What the experts say

Sarah Bonza, MD, a board-certified family physician at Bonza Health, doesn’t recommend omeprazole for gas and bloating. “It is only for acid-related gastrointestinal conditions,” Dr. Bonza says. Bloating and belching may be symptoms of GERD, so some people may feel relief from taking omeprazole. However, Dr. Bonza explains that the relief is an indirect effect as omeprazole reduces gastric acid secretion.

“If omeprazole is used for symptoms like gas and bloating, for which it is not indicated, it may not effectively address the underlying cause of those symptoms,” says Jessica Iroanya, Pharm.D. “As a result, the person using it may not experience the intended relief they are seeking.”

Additionally, omeprazole may actually cause flatulence in some people. However, this side effect was only reported in 2.7% of adults. Other common side effects of omeprazole include:

• Headache
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upper respiratory infection
• Constipation

Omeprazole vs. other treatment options

Before taking omeprazole for gas and bloating, consider more effective options. According to Dr. Bonza, before going the medication route, there are lifestyle changes and dieting habits you can adopt to relieve gas and bloating. “It’s recommended to avoid gas-producing ingredients such as carbonated beverages and beans and also to stay away from possible food intolerances (e.g., dairy, milk, etc.),” she explains. “It’s also recommended to have regular physical activity, eat small and frequent meals, and not lie down right away after eating in order to help decrease the build-up of gas.”

Dr. Iroanya recommends the following medications and supplements as alternatives to omeprazole:

• Simethicone (Gas-X, etc.): Simethicone targets gas bubbles directly, making it more effective than omeprazole, which is designed to reduce stomach acid.
• Lactase supplements: If lactose intolerance is causing gas and bloating, lactase supplements can break down lactose (the sugar in milk and milk products)—often the root cause of flatulence and bloating. Dr. Iroanya says lactase supplements may be more effective than omeprazole, which doesn’t target the underlying issue of lactose intolerance.
• Probiotics: These work by restoring healthy gut bacteria, which can reduce gas and bloating. “Unlike probiotics, omeprazole may interfere with the restoration of gut bacteria, limiting its ability to reduce gas buildup,” Dr. Iroanya says.
  

Please note that these suggestions are only for mild gas and bloating. “If you have severe abdominal pain, abdominal distention, or increasing abdominal girth, you may already need to go to acute care or the emergency room,” Dr. Bonza says.

Before switching any medications or taking any supplements, speak with your healthcare provider for medical advice on the best treatment options to address gas and bloating.

Bottom line

While omeprazole may indirectly reduce symptoms of gas and bloating from GERD, medical experts don’t recommend it as a first-line treatment for gas if you don’t also have GERD. In fact, for some people, gas can be a side effect of taking omeprazole. If you’re experiencing significant discomfort from flatulence and bloating, notify your healthcare provider of your symptoms so they can work with you to find the best treatment.