Omeprazole Information and Uses

Omeprazole

Omeprazole Overview

Omeprazole is a prescription medication used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is also used for other conditions including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and certain ulcers. Omeprazole belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors, which reduce the amount of acid in your stomach. A nonprescription (over-the-counter) omeprazole product is also available for the treatment of heartburn.

This medication comes in capsule form or in packets to be mixed with water to form a liquid. It is taken once or twice daily, an hour before a meal.

Common side effects of Omeprazole include headache, stomach pain, and nausea.

Uses of Omeprazole

Omeprazole is a prescription medicine used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), certain ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, and erosive esophagitis (EE).

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Omeprazole

Serious allergic reactions may occur with omeprazole use. Tell your doctor if you get any of the following symptoms with Omeprazole delayed-release capsules.

rash
face swelling
throat tightness
difficulty breathing

Your doctor may stop Omeprazole delayed-release capsules if these symptoms happen.

The most common side effects with Omeprazole delayed-release capsules in adults and children include:

Headache
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Gas
Respiratory system events
Fever

People who are taking multiple daily doses of proton pump inhibitor medicines for a long period of time may have an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist or spine.

Tell your doctor about any side effects that bother you or that do not go away. These are not all the possible side effects with Omeprazole delayed-release capsules. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about side effects.

Omeprazole Interactions

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements. Omeprazole delayed-release capsules may affect how other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Omeprazole delayed-release capsules work. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

atazanavir (Reyataz)
nelfinavir (Viracept)
saquinavir (Fortovase)
cilostazol (Pletal)
ketoconazole (Nizoral)
voriconazole (Vfend)
ampicillin (Unasyn)
products that contain iron
warfarin (Coumadin)
digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxincaps)
tacrolimus (Prograf)
diazepam (Valium)
phenytoin (Dilantin)
disulfiram (Antabuse)
clopidogrel (Plavix)

This is not a complete list of omeprazole drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Omeprazole Precautions

Do not take Omeprazole delayed-release capsules if you:

are allergic to any of the ingredients in Omeprazole delayed-release capsules. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in Omeprazole delayed-release capsules.
are allergic to any other Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) medicine.

Omeprazole Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of omeprazole there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving omeprazole.

Inform MD

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

have liver problems
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Omeprazole and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Omeprazole delayed-release capsules will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Omeprazole and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. You and your doctor should decide if you will take Omeprazole delayed-release capsules or breastfeed. You should not do both.

Omeprazole Usage

Take Omeprazole delayed-release capsules exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not change your dose or stop Omeprazole delayed-release capsules without talking to your doctor.
Take Omeprazole delayed-release capsules at least 1 hour before a meal.
Swallow Omeprazole delayed-release capsules whole. Never chew or crush Omeprazole delayed-release capsules.
If you have difficulty swallowing Omeprazole delayed-release capsules, you may open the capsule and empty the contents into a tablespoon of applesauce. Be sure to swallow the applesauce right away. Do not store it for later use.
If you forget to take a dose of Omeprazole delayed-release capsules, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose on time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Omeprazole Dosage

Short-Term Treatment of Active Duodenal Ulcer

The recommended adult oral dose of omeprazole is 20 mg once daily. Most patients heal within four weeks. Some patients may require an additional four weeks of therapy.

H. pylori Eradication for the Reduction of the Risk of Duodenal Ulcer Recurrence

Triple Therapy (omeprazole/clarithromycin/amoxicillin) — The recommended adult oral regimen is omeprazole 20 mg plus clarithromycin 500 mg plus amoxicillin 1000 mg each given twice daily for 10 days. In patients with an ulcer present at the time of initiation of therapy, an additional 18 days of omeprazole 20 mg once daily is recommended for ulcer healing and symptom relief.

Dual Therapy (omeprazole/clarithromycin) — The recommended adult oral regimen is omeprazole 40 mg once daily plus clarithromycin 500 mg three times daily for 14 days. In patients with an ulcer present at the time of initiation of therapy, an additional 14 days of omeprazole 20 mg once daily is recommended for ulcer healing and symptom relief.

Gastric Ulcer

The recommended adult oral dose is 40 mg once daily for 4-8 weeks.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

The recommended adult oral dose for the treatment of patients with symptomatic GERD and no esophageal lesions is 20 mg daily for up to 4 weeks. The recommended adult oral dose for the treatment of patients with erosive esophagitis and accompanying symptoms due to GERD is 20 mg daily for 4 to 8 weeks.

Maintenance of Healing of Erosive Esophagitis

The recommended adult oral dose is 20 mg daily.

Pathological Hypersecretory Conditions

The dosage of omeprazole in patients with pathological hypersecretory conditions varies with the individual patient. The recommended adult oral starting dose is 60 mg once daily. Doses should be adjusted to individual patient needs and should continue for as long as clinically indicated. Doses up to 120 mg three times daily have been administered. Daily dosages of greater than 80 mg should be administered in divided doses. Some patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome have been treated continuously with omeprazole for more than 5 years.

Pediatric Patients

For the treatment of GERD and maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis, the recommended daily dose for pediatric patients 2 to 16 years of age is based on weight and ranges from 10 mg to 20 mg.

Omeprazole Overdose

If you take too much omeprazole, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Forms of Omeprazole

Active ingredient in Omeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules:

Omeprazole

Inactive ingredients in Omeprazole Delayed-Release Capsules

(including the capsule shells): ammonium hydroxide, cetyl alcohol, disodium phosphate, D&C Yellow #10, FD&C Blue #2 Aluminium Lake, FD&C Green #3, gelatin, hydroxy propyl methylcellulose phthalate, lactose anhydrous, povidone, propylene glycol, shellac, sodium lauryl sulfate, sucrose, talc and titanium dioxide.