Prilosec OTC (Omeprazole 20 mg)

For anyone dealing with frequent heartburn—the kind that shows up two or more days a week—Prilosec OTC takes a different approach than fast-acting antacids. Rather than neutralizing acid after it flares, this omeprazole 20 mg tablet from Procter & Gamble works at the source, blocking acid production for a full 24 hours per dose across a 14-day treatment course.

The most important thing to understand about Prilosec OTC is that it isn't an instant-relief pill. It's a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), so it may take one to four days to reach its full effect. You take one tablet each morning before eating, once a day for 14 days straight. Many people notice results sooner, but the complete course is what delivers lasting relief from persistent heartburn.

We stock the standard 20 mg tablets in the counts most shoppers reach for: the 14-tablet box (37000045502) that covers a single 14-day regimen, and the 28-tablet box (37000045503) for those who complete repeat courses as directed. The active ingredient, omeprazole, is the same clinically established compound trusted for acid-related discomfort.

A few practical notes buyers ask about: the standard recommendation is no more than one 14-day course every four months unless a doctor advises otherwise, and Prilosec OTC is intended for frequent heartburn rather than the occasional after-a-big-meal variety. If you need immediate relief, a chewable antacid is the better tool—but for recurring symptoms, a PPI is designed exactly for this.

Comparing your options? Explore Zegerid OTC, another omeprazole-based PPI, or browse our wider selection of OTC Medications and the full Medications & OTC department to stock your medicine cabinet.