You have to take it 1 hour minimum before your meal, otherwise it will not protect your stomach from food or medications. I take Nexium (esomeprazole) which is in the same drug class PPI (Proton pump inhibitors), and I take it 1 hour before breakfast and my medicines. Omeprazole can be taken before or after food, although taking it before food can be preferable. If you forget to take a dose at your usual time, you can take it when you remember (unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose). Omeprazole and other PPIs can and do give ulcer patients a better quality of life while they heal. Read More At first my wife had urinary infection, few weeks later she started to have fever and stomach problems, the docter told her it was a gastroenteritis. Doctors give trusted answers on uses, effects, side-effects, and cautions: Dr. Chiu on take omeprazole at night: Prilosec works best when taken before a meal and not when fasting. Take omeprazole powder for oral suspension on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal. For patients receiving continuous feeding through a tube, feeding should be temporarily stopped about 3 hours before and 1 hour after administration of omeprazole powder for oral suspension. I am taking omeprazole from last four months, my age is 38, i have GERD problem, how many year i can take omeprazole 40 mg safly. Read More So went to see Doctor, did a very detailed ultrasound, and all looks well, increased dosage of Omeprazole from 20 to 40 mg, suppose to take it for two weeks, then go back down to 20mg and see how I feel. After a few days you can see whether you tolerate reducing the omeprazole and even discontinue it. DGL appears to kill H.Pylori, which is usually the reason why you need omeprazole in the first place. So by killing H.pylori you eliminate the need for omeprazole. DGL should not be taken longer than 16 weeks. Consult your physician about this. As Omeprazole proton pump inhibitor and should be taken at least 30 mins before meal so that it reduce acidity. However, it possible to take it after the meal since the drug literature does not mention such thing. Dear Pharmacist, Two of my medications have conflicting directions. My thyroid medicine says it should be taken first thing in the morning before food or drink, but my omeprazole says it should be taken at least 30 minutes before a meal. Can omeprazole be taken after food. As it is proton pump inhibitor and should be taken at least 30 mints before meal so that it reduce acidity.