The Active Compound in Losec 20mg
The active compound in Losec 20mg is omeprazole, a substituted benzimidazole with the chemical formula C17H19N3O3S and molecular weight of 345.42 g/mol. 1
Chemical Structure and Properties
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) with the chemical name 5-methoxy-2[[(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl]sulfinyl]-1H-benzimidazole. It has the following properties:
- White to off-white crystalline powder
- Melts with decomposition at approximately 155°C
- Weak base that is freely soluble in ethanol and methanol
- Slightly soluble in acetone and isopropanol
- Very slightly soluble in water
- Stability is pH-dependent (rapidly degraded in acid media but stable under alkaline conditions) 1
Formulation Details
In Losec 20mg capsules, the active compound omeprazole is present in the form of enteric-coated granules. This enteric coating is essential because:
- It protects omeprazole from degradation by stomach acid
- Ensures the drug reaches the small intestine intact where it can be absorbed
- Maintains the drug's stability and efficacy 1
Mechanism of Action
Omeprazole functions as a gastric acid pump inhibitor that:
- Controls gastric acid secretion at the final stage of the acid secretory pathway
- Irreversibly blocks the proton pump (H+/K+ ATPase) in gastric parietal cells
- Reduces both basal and stimulated acid secretion regardless of the stimulus
- Is 2-10 times more potent than cimetidine (an H2-receptor antagonist) in inhibiting gastric acid secretion 2
Pharmacological Classification
Omeprazole belongs to the class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are the most potent inhibitors of gastric acid secretion available. Unlike H2-receptor antagonists that block one pathway of acid secretion, PPIs block the final common pathway of acid production, making them more effective for acid suppression. 3
This information provides a comprehensive understanding of the active compound in Losec 20mg, its chemical properties, and its mechanism of action in treating acid-related disorders.