Omeprazole – what it is, what it is for and how to take it!

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Omeprazole  is used to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid. It is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus caused by gastric acid). Omeprazole  can also be given together with antibiotics to treat gastric ulcer caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Over-the-counter (OTC) Omeprazole  is used to help control heartburn that occurs 2 or more days a week.

This medication is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms . The OTC drug should be taken regularly for 14 days in a row.

Important information about omeprazole:

As we mentioned above, Omeprazole  is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms . Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack . Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or a feeling of heaviness, pain spreading to your arm or shoulder, nausea , sweating, and a general feeling of being unwell.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to omeprazole  or any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole or mebendazole. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it’s safe to take Omeprazole  if you have liver disease or heart disease, or low levels of magnesium in your blood .

Some conditions are treated with a combination of omeprazole  and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor’s advice.

Take Omeprazole for the entire prescribed period of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) should be taken for no more than 14 days in a row. Allow at least 4 months to pass before starting another 14-day treatment.

Precautions before taking this medicine:

You should not take Omeprazole if you are allergic or if you are allergic to other proton pump inhibitors (esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, Dexilant, Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, ACIPHEX, and others); or if you also take HIV medicines that contain rilpivirine (such as Complera, Edurant, Odefsey, Juluca).

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe to use Omeprazole if you have other medical conditions, especially:

• Difficulty or pain when swallowing;
• Bloody or black stools, vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds ;
• Heartburn that lasted more than 3 months;
• Frequent chest pain, heartburn with wheezing;
• unexplained weight loss;
• Nausea or vomiting, stomach pain;
• Liver disease;
• Low levels of magnesium in the blood ; or osteoporosis or low bone mineral density (osteopenia).

You may be more likely to have a broken bone in your hip, wrist, or spine when you take a proton pump inhibitor. Talk to your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not use this medicine without your doctor’s advice if you are breast-feeding. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take omeprazole?

Omeprazole  is usually taken before eating (at least 1 hour before a meal). Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instructions. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Use Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Carefully read and follow all instructions for use provided with your medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions. Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before measuring a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided or use a medication dose measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

If you are unable to swallow a capsule whole, open it and spread the remedy on a spoonful of apple juice . Swallow the mixture immediately without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

You must dissolve Omeprazole powder in a small amount of water . This mixture can be swallowed or administered through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube using a catheter-tipped syringe.

Long-term taking Omeprazole can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency . Talk to your doctor about managing this condition. Call your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve or get worse.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of omeprazole and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed and read all medication guides you receive. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor’s advice.

This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Omeprazole . Store it at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosage information:

Usual adult dose for duodenal ulcer: 20 mg orally once daily before a meal. Most patients recover within 4 to 8 weeks. Usual adult dose for Helicobacter pylori infection:

Dual therapy : Omeprazole  40 mg orally once daily in the morning plus clarithromycin 500 mg orally 3 times daily on days 1 to 14. From day 15 onwards, Omeprazole  20 mg orally once daily in the morning on the 15th to the 28th.

Triple therapy: Omeprazole  20 mg plus clarithromycin 500 mg plus amoxicillin 1000 mg all given orally twice daily for 10 days. If an ulcer is present at the start of therapy, continue with Omeprazole  20 mg orally once daily for an additional 18 days.

Study (n = 294) – Canadian Adult Dyspepsia Empiric Treatment-Helicobacter pylori positive (CADET-Hp): Omeprazole  20 mg, metronidazole 500 mg, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily for 7 days.

Usual adult dose for gastric ulcer:

40 mg orally once daily before a meal for 4 to 8 weeks.

Usual adult dose for erosive esophagitis:

20 mg orally once daily before a meal. This dosage may be increased to 40 mg daily based on desired clinical response and patient tolerance. Studies were completed up to 12 months for maintenance therapy of erosive esophagitis .

Usual Adult Dose for Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:

• Initial: 60 mg orally once daily. Dosage should be individualized to the patient’s needs.
• Maintenance: Doses of up to 120 mg 3 times a day have been administered. Daily doses greater than 80 mg should be divided.

Usual Adult Dose for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease:

• Initial: 20 mg orally once daily before a meal for 4 to 8 weeks. This dose can be increased to 40 mg daily if necessary.
• Maintenance: Long-term treatment with doses of 10 to 20 mg daily may be necessary for maintenance therapy of refractory disease and appears to be safe.

Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Endocrine Adenomas:

• Initial: 60 mg orally once daily before a meal. This dosage can be titrated based on the desired clinical response and patient tolerance.
• Maintenance: Doses of up to 120 mg 3 times a day have been administered. Daily doses greater than 80 mg should be divided.

Usual Adult Dose for Systemic Mastocytosis Initial: 60 mg orally once daily before a meal. This dosage can be titrated based on the desired clinical response and patient tolerance.

• Maintenance: Doses of up to 120 mg 3 times a day have been administered. Daily doses greater than 80 mg should be divided.
• Prevention of frequent heartburn: 20 mg orally once a day, before a meal, for 14 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

What should I avoid while taking omeprazole?

Diarrhea can be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using antidiarrheal medicine.

Side effects: 

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to omeprazole : hives ; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

Stop using Omeprazole  and call your doctor right away if you have: severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody; rash or joint pain; new or unusual pain in your wrist, thigh, hip, or back; convulsion (convulsions); kidney problems urinating more or less than usual, blood in the urine, swelling , rapid weight gain; or symptoms of drowsiness, low magnesium, confusion, feeling irritable, rapid heartbeat, tremors , muscle twitching, muscle cramps , numbness, and tingling.

What other medications will it affect?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which can increase side effects or make the drugs less effective.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Omeprazole  with any other medication, especially:

• diazepam ( Valium );
• digoxin;
• methotrexate;
• micofenolato mofetil;
• tacrolimus;
• an antibiotic ampicillin, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, rifampin;
• antifungal drug ketoconazole, voriconazole;
• HIV medication atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir;
• iron containing medicines ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate, and others; or medication to prevent blood clots cilostazol, clopidogrel, warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete and many other medicines can affect Omeprazole . This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Other information:

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others and use Omeprazole  only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your physician to ensure that the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.