Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part H (2025)

Self-medication has become increasingly prevalent across global populations, driven by easy access to pharmaceuticals and the desire for quick symptom relief. Among the drugs frequently utilized without professional consultation, omeprazole, a widely available proton pump inhibitor (PPI), is particularly notable due to its efficacy in managing common gastric acidity. However, the prolonged and unsupervised misuse of omeprazole can lead to significant adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and serious long-term complications, including nutrient deficiencies and renal injury. Crucially, these drug-related safety issues are often under-reported, resulting in weak or delayed safety signals. Effective pharmacovigilance (PV) is therefore essential to detect harmful consumption patterns, encourage patient reporting, and improve overall patient safety. This article critically evaluates the current self-medication practices involving omeprazole, assesses its associated short- and long-term risks, and highlights the implications for pharmacovigilance in mitigating these challenges. Better regulation of over-the-counter (OTC) availability, robust patient education, and enhanced healthcare involvement are urgently necessary to prevent complications linked to long-term PPI misuse.