Can you take OTC 20mg prilosec twice a day? It does not last long enough for me and I keep waking up in the early morning with terrible heartburn. I need to take one in the morning and one at night, is this ok?

We can't answer that for you. I recommend you contact your doctor and let him know the issue you are having, and he can recommend a course of action and possibly a change to your prescription.

As noted, check with your doctors - surgeon and/or PCP and any med concerns. Were you given any post-op instructions by the surgeon or the hospital? That said, Prilosec/omeprazole otc twice a day is what I am on; I periodically drop one of them for a couple days to check progress.

I will tell you what I personally do. I take 2 Prilosec a day - one in the morning and one at night. (per my dr's orders) It took about 4-5 days of doing this before my horrible heartburn stopped. Remember prilosec is used to prevent heartburn. So if you are already having heartburn you will need something to treat it like Tums or Rolaids. I know how disturbing and painful heartburn can be especially while you are sleeping. Sometimes sleeping a little propped up can help. But I would suggest talking with your doctor as sometimes heartburn can mean other things.

My GI dr prescribed me to take 40mg Omeprazol 2x a day for 6 months. My surgeon said I shouldn't take tums/rolaids or anything like that. But as you know... check with your Dr.. since everyones situation is diffferent.