Drug Database - Omeprazole

Generic Name: omeprazole (oh-MEP-ra-zol)

Brand Names: Prilosec®, Prilosec OTC®, Zegerid®

Classification: Antisecretory Compounds

Issue Date: 2006

Omeprazole is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid. Omeprazole is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).

Omeprazole may also be given together with antibiotics to treat gastric ulcer caused by infection with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have heart disease or liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

Omeprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of omeprazole and antibiotics. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the condition is completely treated.

Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) should be taken only once every 24 hours for 14 days. It may take up to 4 days for full effect. Do not take more than one tablet every 24 hours.

Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start another 14-day treatment with Prilosec OTC. Call your doctor if you have additional symptoms and need treatment before the 4 months has passed.

Omeprazole is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on the medicine label or on your prescription label. Take each dose of omeprazole with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Omeprazole is usually taken before eating. Follow your doctor's instructions. Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

You may open the delayed-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) should be taken only once every 24 hours for 14 days. Take the medicine in the morning before you eat breakfast. It may take up to 4 days for full effect. Do not take more than one tablet every 24 hours.

Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start another 14-day treatment with Prilosec OTC. Call your doctor if you have additional symptoms and need treatment before the 4 months has passed.

Do not crush, chew, or break a Prilosec OTC tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while you are taking this medicine. Store omeprazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling . Do not use this medication if you are allergic to omeprazole.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have heart disease or liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of omeprazole and antibiotics. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor. Do not use over-the-counter omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) without the advice of a doctor if you have:

• trouble or pain with swallowing
• bloody or black stools
• vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds
• heartburn that has lasted for over 3 months
• frequent chest pain
• heartburn with wheezing
• unexplained weight loss
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach pain

Omeprazole may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Omeprazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medication to a child without your doctor's advice.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have ANY of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• skin rash or hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• stomach pain, gas
• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• headache

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®)
• atazanavir (Reyataz®)
• disulfiram (Antabuse®)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin®)
• tacrolimus (Prograf®)
• theophylline (TheoBid®, Theo-Dur®, Theochron®, Theolair®, Elixophyllin®, Slo-Phyllin®)
• fluconazole (Diflucan®)
• itraconazole (Sporanox®)
• ketoconazole (Nizoral®)
• ampicillin (Omnipen®, Principen®)
• iron (Feosol®, Mol-Iron®, Fergon®, Femiron®, etc.)
• medicine for insomnia or anxiety such as:
• diazepam (Valium®)
• alprazolam (Xanax®)
• lorazepam (Ativan®)
• temazepam (Restoril®)
• clorazepate (Tranxene®)
• chlordiazepoxide (Librium®), and others

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect omeprazole. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.