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. This medicine is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Brand Name(s):

Prilosec, Quality Choice Omeprazole Magnesium, Sunmark Omeprazole, Rite Aid Omeprazole, Good Sense Omeprazole, Prilosec OTC, The Medicine Shoppe Omeprazole, Leader Omeprazole, TopCare 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.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• It is best to take this medicine at least 1 hour before a meal and for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days.
• If you are taking this medicine to treat an ulcer that is associated with an H. pylori infection, take it together with the antibiotics (such as amoxicillin, clarithromycin) at the same time of the day.
• 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.
• To use the delayed-release oral suspension:
  • Empty the contents of a 2.5 milligrams (mg) packet of powder into a container containing 5 mL of water.
  • Empty the contents of a 10 mg packet of powder into a container containing 15 mL of water.
  • Do not use other liquids or foods.
  • Stir well and leave the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken.
  • Stir and drink within 30 minutes.
  • If any medicine remains after drinking, add more water, stir, and drink immediately.
• To use the delayed-release oral suspension with a nasogastric (NG) tube or gastric tube:
  • Add 5 mL to a catheter tipped syringe and then add the contents of a 2.5 mg packet (or 15 mL of water for the 10 mg packet).
  • Shake the syringe right away and leave the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken.
  • Shake the syringe and give the medicine through the nasogastric or gastric tube into the stomach within 30 minutes.
  • Refill the syringe with an equal amount of water.
  • Shake and flush any remaining contents from the nasogastric or gastric 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 ampicillin (Unasyn®), atazanavir (Reyataz®), clarithromycin (Biaxin®), clopidogrel (Plavix®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), nelfinavir (Viracept®), saquinavir (Fortovase®, Invirase®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or voriconazole (Vfend®). Tell your doctor if you are also using cilostazol (Pletal®), diazepam (Valium®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), disulfiram (Antabuse®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), St. John's wort, iron supplements, or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a diuretic or "water pill" (such as bumetanide, chlorothiazide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], indapamide, metolazone, torsemide, Bumex®, Demadex®, Diuril®, Edecrin®, Lasix®, Lozol®, or Zaroxolyn®) or certain medicines to treat high blood pressure (such as atenolol, enalapril, lisinopril, losartan, metoprolol, olmesartan, valsartan, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Toprol®, or Zestril®).
• If you are using this medicine with clarithromycin, do not use this medicine with cisapride (Propulsid®) or pimozide (Orap®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart disease, bone problems (such as osteoporosis), low magnesium in the blood, or a history of seizures. Tell your doctor if you also have trouble breathing, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained weight loss.
• Tell your doctor if you have Asian relatives, such as Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Taiwanese. You may need a lower dose of this medicine to treat erosive esophagitis.
• Before using this medicine, tell your doctor if you or your child 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.
• This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction when used in patients with conditions treated with antibiotics. Call your doctor right away if you have itching; trouble breathing or swallowing; or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
• Serious stomach conditions may occur while taking this medicine with antibiotics. Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: abdominal or stomach cramps, bloated feeling, watery and severe diarrhea which may also be bloody sometimes, fever, nausea or vomiting, or unusual tiredness or weakness.
• This medicine may increase your risk of having fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. This is more likely if you are 50 years of age and older, if you receive high doses of this medicine, or use it for one year or more.
• This medicine may cause hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood). This is more likely to occur if you are taking this medicine for more than one year, or if you are taking this medicine together with digoxin (Lanoxin®) or certain diuretics or "water pills". Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have convulsions (seizures); fast, racing, or uneven heartbeat; muscle spasms (tetany); tremors; or unusual tiredness or weakness.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

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, or red skin rash.
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, painful urination.
• Chest pain.
• Confusion, agitation, or depressed mood.
• Convulsions (seizures), muscle spasms (tetany), or tremors.
• 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.
• 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, gas, or stomach pain.
• Dry skin, dry mouth, or increased sweating.
• Hair loss.
• Headache.
• Lack or loss of strength.
• Loss of appetite.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Muscle cramps or twitching.
• Nervousness.
• Sores or white patches on your lips, mouth, or throat.
• Stuffy or runny nose.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Unusual taste in your mouth or tongue.
• Weight gain.

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

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088