Risek commercial name of Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor which prevents the stomach from the production of gastric acid. They are just anti-secretory compounds which belong to the same group of Omeprazole. It is commonly indicated along with the antibiotics, for the treatment of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, NSAID induced ulcers, and for the management of gastro esophageal reflux disease.
Its plasma elimination period of half life is 1.5 hours while the drug effect may last for 24 hours once used for a single day or more. Risek reduces the absorption of antifungal and also may increase the plasma concentration of the plasma. Absorption of the Risek is minimized by sucralfate, ampicillin, delavirdine, fluvoxamine, theopylline, voriconazole and even the bronchodilators like the theophylline and aminophylline.
The common side effects of these include dry mouth, drowsiness, insomnia, pruritus, blurred vision; rarely angiodema, photosensitivity, fever, sweating; nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are other severe gastro intestinal disturbances. Abdominal pain, constipation, headache, diarrhea etc are the major adverse effects with this drug, of which diarrhea is the most prominent one. The drug is contraindicated for the patients with hypersensitivity to any component of the Risek drug.
Studies have shown greater risk of hip fractures with these although pneumonia is found with 30% of the cases. Risek is available as delayed releasing capsules, delayed- release disintegrating tablets and also delayed release oral suspensions. As capsules the dosage is 20 mg or 40 mg per capsule, as tablets it is available in the same strength a capsules of 20 and 40 mg. It is usually prescribed for a short term treatment of 4 weeks. Risek should be taken before food. It should never be chewed or crushes as they are enteric coated tablets. It does not exhibit anti-cholinergic activity or histamine type antagonist activity.
