Omeprazole

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat stomach and small intestine ulcers, irritation of the esophagus (swallowing pipe), reflux, heartburn, and situations where the stomach is producing large amounts of acid (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

How does it work?

• Omeprazole decreases stomach acid secretion.

How is it best taken?

• Take 30 minutes before eating.
• Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• For patients who cannot swallow capsule, open capsule and sprinkle granules on 1 tablespoon of applesauce and swallow without chewing granules.
• For patients who have feeding tubes, open capsule and mix with 3 tablespoonfuls of apple juice to administer. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine administration.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can worsen symptoms of disease being treated.
• Avoid caffeine (teas, coffee, colas) and chocolate intake. Can worsen symptoms of disease being treated.
• Avoid aspirin, aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen or like products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Do not use if you are pregnant.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Diarrhea.
• Belly pain/nausea.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Blood in the stool and toilet bowl, vomiting blood, or coughing up blood.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Severe diarrhea.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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