Pharmacology · single question
A patient is taking omeprazole (proton pump inhibitor). If they stop taking their medication, they will be prone to developing:
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Correct answer: D. Peptic ulcer disease
- A. Hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid) is caused BY taking omeprazole, not by stopping it.
- B. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is a long-term COMPLICATION of untreated GERD (Barrett's esophagus), not an immediate consequence of stopping the medication — and stopping the PPI would actually worsen GERD, making this a delayed concern, not the direct answer.
- C. Colon and kidney problems are not directly related to stopping omeprazole.
- D. Omeprazole is a PPI (proton pump inhibitor) used to treat GERD, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), H. pylori eradication, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. If a patient STOPS taking omeprazole, they lose acid suppression → rebound gastric acid hypersecretion → recurrence of peptic ulcer disease is the primary risk.