If you buy omeprazole yourself for acid reflux and heartburn, take it for 7 days at most; go straight to the hospital for trouble swallowing, vomiting blood or black stools

High value
Evidence B
Buys life
Free
Takes minutes
No willpower

In plain words

Omeprazole enteric-coated tablets (奥美拉唑肠溶片) have been available without a prescription since 2022, but the insert says to take them yourself for no more than 7 days and not to take them again within two months. If you have trouble or pain swallowing, vomit blood, or have blood in the stool or black stools, don't take them on your own; these can be signs of a serious condition. The drug may also cover up the symptoms of stomach cancer and delay diagnosis.

Cost: Free. Take it for the number of days in the insert.
What you get: Announcement No. 68 of 2022 from the National Medical Products Administration (国家药监局) moved omeprazole enteric-coated tablets from prescription to over-the-counter and issued a model insert at the same time. The indication in the model insert is “short-term relief of heartburn and acid reflux caused by excess stomach acid.” The precautions state: use must not exceed 7 days, and if symptoms don't ease, consult a doctor or pharmacist. It must not be taken again within two months, and if symptoms recur, seek medical care immediately. Do not use it if you have trouble or pain swallowing, vomit blood, or have blood in the stool or black stools, as these may be signs of a serious condition. When alarm symptoms such as marked weight loss, repeated vomiting, trouble swallowing, vomiting blood or black stools appear, a malignant tumor must be ruled out first, because treatment may mask symptoms and delay diagnosis. People over 55 with new symptoms or changed symptoms should consult a doctor. People taking clopidogrel should avoid taking omeprazole at the same time.
Notes: Clopidogrel (氯吡格雷) is a clot-preventing drug often taken by people who have had a stent placed or a heart attack. Omeprazole weakens it, so ask the doctor first if you are taking it. Graded B because these are the insert's rules, and no study has calculated how many problems following them prevents. The benefit is rated “medium” as a judgment: what it guards against is delay in finding stomach bleeding or stomach cancer, but most acid reflux and heartburn is not serious.
Evidence grade: B : Supported by research but without a precise number, or based on small or single studies.
Sources: 国家药监局关于奥美拉唑肠溶片处方药转换为非处方药的公告（2022年第68号）及附件2《非处方药说明书范本》. https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/yaopin/ypggtg/20220826171517123.html

Translated from the Chinese original. Original book, section 34, tip 6. This section is about health and medicines. It is general information, not a substitute for a doctor’s diagnosis or prescription. Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you. Disclaimer