Omeprazole (By mouth)

Introduction:

Omeprazole (oh-MEP-ra-zole)

Treats heartburn, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and conditions that cause your stomach to make too much acid (such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, endocrine tumors, and systemic mastocytosis). It also helps heal the esophagus when the stomach makes too much acid and helps prevent bleeding in the stomach for patients with a serious illness. This medicine may be used in combination with antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and amoxicillin, to treat certain types of ulcers.

Brand Name(s):

Prilosec, Rite Aid Omeprazole, Prilosec OTC, Good Sense Omeprazole, The Medicine Shoppe Omeprazole, Leader Omeprazole

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Delayed Release Capsule, Packet, Powder for Suspension, Delayed Release Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• It is best to take this medicine before a meal.
• Swallow the delayed-release capsule or delayed-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it. If you cannot swallow the delayed-release capsule, you may open it and pour the medicine into a small amount of soft food, such as applesauce. Stir this mixture well and swallow it without chewing. Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of cool water to make sure you swallow all of the medicine.
• If you are using the oral suspension, add the contents of the packet into a container with 1 teaspoonful of water (2.5 mg packet) or 3 teaspoonfuls of water (10 mg packet) and stir well. Let the mixture sit to thicken for 2 to 3 minutes. Then stir it again and drink it within 30 minutes. If any mixture is left in the container, add more water, stir, and drink the water right away.
• The oral suspension may also be given through a nasogastric or gastric feeding tube. Add 1 teaspoonful of water (2.5 mg packet) or 3 teaspoonfuls of water (10 mg packet) to a catheter tipped syringe. Add the contents of the packet to the syringe and shake the mixture right away. Let the mixture sit to thicken for 2 to 3 minutes. Shake the syringe again and inject it into the nasogastric or gastric tube within 30 minutes. Put the same amount of water in the syringe again, shake it, and then flush the tube to rinse all of the medicine from the tube into the stomach.
• If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.
• If you are using this medicine to treat heartburn, do not take it for more than 14 days or more often than every 4 months unless directed by your doctor.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using clarithromycin (Biaxin®), ampicillin, ketoconazole (Nizoral®), atazanavir (Reyataz®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), or voriconazole (Vfend®). Tell your doctor if you are also using diazepam (Valium®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), disulfiram (Antabuse®), an iron supplement, or a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease or heart disease. Tell your doctor if you also have trouble breathing, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained weight loss.
• Before using this medicine, tell your doctor if you have had heartburn for longer than 3 months. Make sure your doctor knows if you have trouble swallowing food, if you are vomiting blood, or have blood in your stools. These may be signs of a more serious stomach condition.
• Heartburn pain that causes you to sweat, become lightheaded or dizzy, and chest pain that spreads to your arms or shoulders may be symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms.
• This medicine is sometimes given together with other medicines to treat ulcers. Be sure you understand about the risks and proper use of any other medicine your doctor gives you together with omeprazole.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate.
• Chest pain.
• Confusion, agitation, or depressed mood.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
• Pain on urination.
• Problems with your vision or hearing.
• Red or dark brown urine.
• Sudden and severe stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back, joint, or leg pain.
• Constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
• Dry skin, dry mouth, or increased sweating.
• Hair loss.
• Headache.
• Loss of appetite.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Muscle cramps or twitching.
• Nervousness or tremors.
• Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Weight gain.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: