Prilosec

Prilosec

     * Generic Name: omeprazole
     * Brand Name: Prilosec


     * What is omeprazole?
     * What are the possible side effects of omeprazole?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       omeprazole?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       omeprazole?
     * How should I take omeprazole?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking omeprazole?
     * What other drugs will affect omeprazole?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is omeprazole?

   Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that 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).

   Over-the-counter (OTC) omeprazole is used to help control
   heartburn that occurs 2 or more days per week. This medicine not
   for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms. OTC omeprazole must be
   taken on a regular basis for 14 days in a row.

   Omeprazole may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of omeprazole?

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

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

   Common side effects may include:
     * stomach pain, gas;
     * nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or
     * headache.

   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?

   Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of
   your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies,
   and all medicines you use.

   Prilosec Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Heartburn:Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid

   Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow
   Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions

   Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the GERD Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking omeprazole?

   Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency
   medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or
   shoulder and you feel anxious or light-headed.

   You should not use omeprazole if you are allergic to it, or if:
     * you are allergic to other proton pump inhibitors (esomeprazole,
       lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, Dexilant,
       Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, AcipHex, and others);
       or
     * you also take HIV medication that contains rilpivirine (such as
       Complera, Edurant, Odefsey, Juluca).

   Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use omeprazole if
   you have other medical conditions, especially:
     * 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, stomach pain;
     * liver disease;
     * low levels of magnesium in your 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 while taking a proton pump inhibitor. Talk with 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 plan to become pregnant.

   Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are
   breast-feeding.

   Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take omeprazole?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all
   medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as
   directed.

   Use Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) exactly as directed on the label,
   or as prescribed by your doctor.

   Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your
   medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these
   instructions.

   Shake the oral suspension (liquid) before you measure a dose. Use the
   dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a
   kitchen spoon).

   If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the
   medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away
   without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

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

   OTC omeprazole should be taken for only 14 days in a row. Allow at
   least 4 months to pass before you start a new 14-day course of
   treatment.

   Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your
   symptoms quickly improve.

   Taking omeprazole long-term could cause you to develop a vitamin B-12
   deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this condition.

   Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they 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 can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any
   doctor who treats you that you are using omeprazole.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Prilosec Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Heartburn:Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid

   Heartburn? Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Slideshow
   Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions

   Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the GERD Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking omeprazole?

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

What other drugs will affect omeprazole?

   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
   may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

   Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using omeprazole with any other
   medications, especially:
     * diazepam (Valium);
     * digoxin;
     * methotrexate;
     * mycophenolate mofetil;
     * tacrolimus;
     * an antibiotic--ampicillin, amoxicillin,
       clarithromycin, rifampin;
     * antifungal medicine--ketoconazole, voriconazole;
     * HIV medication--atazanavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir;
     * iron-containing medicines--ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate,
       ferrous sulfate, and others; or
     * medicine to prevent blood clots--cilostazol, clopidogrel,
       warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

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

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about omeprazole.
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