comedian Larry the Cable Guy The marketing campaign will continue to feature comedian Larry the Cable Guy, who has acted as a Prilosec OTC spokesperson since last year.

Omeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and cough.

Prilosec OTC is a delayed-release 20mg tablet, taken once a day (every 24 hours) for 14 days before eating. You should not take it for more than 14 days or repeat a 14-day course more often than every 4 months unless directed by a doctor. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet.

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is used to treat symptoms of GERD/heartburn.

The FDA approved Prilosec OTC in 2003 to treat frequent heartburn safely and effectively. This is heartburn that happens two or more days a week. People should not use Prilosec OTC to treat less frequent heartburn.

Omeprazole was first made in 1979 by Swedish AB Hässle, part of Astra AB. It was the first of the proton pump inhibitors (PPI). Astra AB, now AstraZeneca, launched it as an ulcer medicine under the name Losec in Sweden.

Both over-the-counter omeprazole and prescription omeprazole have the same active ingredient and work the same way. However, prescription omeprazole is used to treat diseases that require consultation with a doctor. The prescription dosage may also be used for a longer period of time than when taken as an OTC.

Common Prilosec side effects include headache, stomach pain and nausea. Long-term Prilosec use has been linked to kidney damage, bone fractures and other dangerous side effects. Unlike prescription Prilosec, Prilosec OTC is safe to treat frequent heartburn.

While one study did find that Nexium offered faster heartburn relief than Prilosec after one week of use, at the second week, both treatment groups were reported to have similar symptom relief. While both medications generally offer the same level of relief, it may just come down to personal preference and cost.

Taking Prilosec OTC long-term may cause you to develop stomach growths called fundic gland polyps. Talk with your doctor about this risk. If you use Prilosec OTC for longer than 3 years, you could develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this condition if you develop it.

Common Prilosec side effects include headache, stomach pain and nausea. Long-term Prilosec use has been linked to kidney damage, bone fractures and other dangerous side effects. Unlike prescription Prilosec, Prilosec OTC is safe to treat frequent heartburn.