Pablo García, pharmacist: "We're misusing omeprazole. It's a mistake to talk about it as a stomach protector."

Omeprazole, one of the most widely dispensed medications in Spain, continues to be the subject of misunderstandings that affect its correct and safe use . This is the warning from pharmacist Pablo García , known for his outreach work both at the counter of a neighborhood pharmacy and on his social media profile (@medicadoo) , where he has been combating health-related hoaxes for over a decade. “We are misusing omeprazole; it is a mistake to talk about it as a stomach protector,” he says.

In his recent book El frío no resfría (The Cold Doesn't Come Cold) , published by Grijalbo, the author debunks some of the most persistent myths about medications, including that of omeprazole, which many continue to refer to as a "stomach protector." According to García, this misnomer has led to widespread and often unnecessary use . "Many believe it creates a layer that covers the stomach and makes it immune to anything, as if you could eat stones and nothing would happen, but that's not the case," he warns in an interview with Telecinco .

Omeprazole does not work as many believe

Omeprazole belongs to the group of proton pump inhibitors . Its function is to reduce stomach acid production, which is useful for treating conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric ulcers, or Helicobacter pylori infections. However, its use has extended beyond these indications. Many people take it before going out to a party or after a heavy meal, but "using it in these situations is not only unnecessary, but can be counterproductive. Gastric acid is essential for good digestion, and artificially reducing it could make that meal feel even worse," the pharmacist points out.

This drug doesn't provide immediate relief. "It takes between four and six hours to take effect, so it's not effective in cases of occasional heartburn." In these situations, it's better to turn to other options such as herbal medicine, García points out. Furthermore, it's not indicated as an occasional preventative measure due to the ingestion of many medications. "It should only be taken if you are continuously taking drugs that can damage the gastric mucosa, such as ibuprofen or aspirin," he clarifies.

Official figures from the Ministry of Health, which recorded more than 50 million containers dispensed in 2022, reveal a worrying reality. Pablo García argues that this data reflects overprescription rather than a real, widespread health problem. We've grown accustomed to seeing it as something harmless, but it isn't. Taking it without a real medical need can upset gastric balance , explains the expert, who insists on the importance of informing and dispelling false beliefs to avoid unnecessary risks to public health.