What is omeprazole?
Omeprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.
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).
Omeprazole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking omeprazole?
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.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using this medicine 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; or
-
stomach pain.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether omeprazole is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, 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.
How should I take omeprazole?
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.
What happens if I miss a dose of omeprazole?
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?
Your pharmacist has information about omeprazole written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of omeprazole?
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.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
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.
What is the most important information I should know about omeprazole?
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.
What should I avoid while taking omeprazole?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while
you are using omeprazole.
What other drugs will affect omeprazole?
Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
clopidogrel (Plavix);
-
atazanavir (Reyataz);
-
disulfiram (Antabuse);
-
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
-
tacrolimus (Prograf);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin);
-
theophylline (TheoBid, Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair,
Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin);
-
ketoconazole (Nizoral), voriconazole (Vfend);
-
ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);
-
iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others); or
-
a medicine for insomnia or anxiety such as diazepam
(Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), clorazepate
(Tranxene), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
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.
What happens if I have an overdose of omeprazole?