What should a pharmacy technician inform a patient purchasing omeprazole (Prilosec) 20 mg tablets?

Informing a patient that Prilosec (omeprazole) can be purchased over the counter is accurate and important for ensuring access to the medication. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor commonly used to treat conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and is available both by prescription and over the counter in specific dosages, such as 20 mg. This accessibility allows patients to manage their symptoms without requiring a visit to a healthcare provider for a prescription, which can be very beneficial for those who have been advised to use this medication for self-management of their heartburn or acid reflux.

The other options do not accurately reflect the purchasing availability of omeprazole. For example, stating that a prescription is required to purchase it is misleading because many consumers can easily find it at pharmacies and retail stores as an OTC medication. Similarly, while pantoprazole is another proton pump inhibitor available OTC, suggesting it as a substitute could lead to confusion regarding options. Lastly, the claim that Prilosec is only available in a 40 mg tablet and that patients need to cut it is inaccurate, as the 20 mg formulation is widely available on the market as a non-prescription option. Thus, the correct information is