What is omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
Omeprazole decreases the amount of acid your stomach produces. Sodium bicarbonate is an
antacid that raises the pH in your stomach to keep the omeprazole from breaking down in stomach
acid.
Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.
Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
This medication contains sodium bicarbonate, a form of salt. Each capsule contains the
equivalent of 300 mg of sodium. Each packet of powder contains the equivalent of 460 mg of sodium.
If you are on a low-salt or low-sodium diet, you may not be able to use omeprazole and sodium
bicarbonate. Talk with your doctor.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication 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.
How should I take omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
Take omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it
in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating a meal. If this
medicine is given to a person who is fed through a nasogastric (NG) tube, the feeding should be
stopped at least 3 hours before giving the medicine. Do not restart nasogastric feeding for at least 1
hour after giving omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate.
Take the omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate capsule with a full glass of water. Do not use
any other type of liquid or food.
Do not open the capsule or empty the medicine powder from it. Swallow the capsule
whole.
To use the powder form of this medicine, open a packet and pour all of the powder into a small
cup with 1 or 2 tablespoons of water. Do not use any other type of liquid. Stir the mixture and drink it
right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently
and drink right away.
The 20-mg and the 40-mg forms of this medicine contain the same strength of sodium
bicarbonate. Do not use two 20-mg capsules to equal one 40-mg capsule. Do not use two 20-mg
powder packets to equal one 40-mg powder packet. If you do not use the exact capsule or powder
packet your doctor has prescribed, you may receive too much sodium bicarbonate.
Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
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.
Where can I get more information about omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
Your pharmacist has information about omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
-
fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate can change the way your body absorbs or eliminates
certain other drugs. 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.
This medication contains sodium bicarbonate, a form of salt. Each capsule contains the
equivalent of 300 mg of sodium. Each packet of powder contains the equivalent of 460 mg of sodium.
If you are on a low-salt or low-sodium diet, you may not be able to use omeprazole and sodium
bicarbonate. Talk with your doctor.
Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating a meal. If this
medicine is given to a person who is fed through a nasogastric (NG) tube, the feeding should be
stopped at least 3 hours before giving the medicine. Do not restart nasogastric feeding for at least 1
hour after giving omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate.
Take the capsule or powder for oral suspension only with water. Do not use any other type of
liquid or food.
The 20-mg and the 40-mg forms of this medicine contain the same strength of sodium
bicarbonate. Do not use two 20-mg capsules to equal one 40-mg capsule. Do not use two 20-mg
powder packets to equal one 40-mg powder packet. If you do not use the exact capsule or powder
packet your doctor has prescribed, you may receive too much sodium bicarbonate.
What should I avoid while taking omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while
you are using omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate.
What other drugs will affect omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
-
ampicillin;
-
atazanavir;
-
clarithromycin (Biaxin);
-
clopidogrel (Plavix);
-
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
-
diazepam (Valium) or similar sedatives;
-
disulfiram (Antabuse);
-
iron supplements;
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin);
-
tacrolimus (Prograf); or
-
warfarin (Coumadin).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. 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.
What happens if I have an overdose of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate?