How to use Omeprazole
Read the
Patient Information Leaflet if it is available from your pharmacist before you
begin taking omeprazole and each time you obtain a refill if your doctor has
recommended this medicine for you. Before taking this drug, read and adhere to
all product instructions if you're using the over-the-counter product for
self-treatment.
As
prescribed, take this medicine by mouth once daily, preferably before a meal.
Your medical condition and treatment response will determine the dosage and
duration of the course of action. The dose is also determined by weight in
youngsters. Do not use this medication in larger amounts or more frequently
than recommended. Ask your physician or pharmacist if you have any queries.
Chew, break, or not crush delayed release pills. This might cause the medicine to leak completely all at once, raising the possibility of negative effects.
Use dry hands to handle the delayed release dissolving pills if you're using them. On your tongue, place the pill and allow it to dissolve. The pill can be ingested with or without water once it has broken down. You can also consume the pills whole with water.
Antacids can
be administered in addition to this medicine if necessary. Omeprazole should be
taken at least 30 minutes before sucralfate if you are also taking it.
To reap the
greatest benefits from this drug, take it frequently. Take it at the same time
every day to aid with memory. Even if you feel better, keep taking this
medicine for the full duration of the recommended course of therapy. If you are
using the over-the-counter medication for self-treatment, do not take it for
more than 14 days unless your doctor instructs you to.
If your
issue persists or worsens, let your doctor know. If you are self-medicating for
heartburn, let your doctor know if it persists for more than 14 days or if you
need to use this prescription more frequently than once every four months. Over
time, the chance of adverse effects increases. How long should you take this medication?
Ask your doctor. Consult a doctor straight away if you suspect a major medical
issue.
Side Effects
There might be headaches or tummy aches. Inform your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these side effects persist or grow worse.
If your doctor has prescribed this medication for you, keep in mind that he or she has determined that the benefit to you outweighs the danger of adverse effects. Many users of this medicine report no significant negative effects.
Inform your
doctor straight away if you have any severe side effects, such as lupus
symptoms, muscular spasms, abnormal heartbeat, or indications of low blood
levels of magnesium (such as rash on nose and cheeks, new or worsening joint
pain).
Rarely, a serious intestinal disease brought on by the bacterium C. difficile may be brought on by this medicine. This condition might develop during therapy or several weeks to months after it has ended. If you experience diarrhoea that doesn't stop, abdominal or stomach discomfort or cramping, or blood or mucus in your stool, call your doctor immediately away.
Use of anti-diarrhea or opioid medicines should be avoided if you experience these symptoms as they might exacerbate them.
Proton pump
inhibitors, including omeprazole, have infrequently led to vitamin B-12
insufficiency. If used daily for a prolonged period of time, the danger is
enhanced (3 years or longer). If you have any vitamin B-12 deficient symptoms,
including unusual weakness, a painful tongue, or tingling or numbness in your
hands or feet, call your doctor straight once.
Rarely may this medication cause a very significant allergic response. However, if you have any severe allergic response symptoms, such as fever, enlarged lymph nodes, rash, itching or swelling (particularly of the face, tongue, or neck), extreme dizziness, difficulty breathing, or indications of kidney issues, get medical attention immediately once (such as change in the amount of urine).
The list of potential negative effects is not exhaustive. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other side effects not covered above.
Call your doctor for medical advice regarding side effects if you're in the US. You can contact the FDA to report adverse effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Call your
doctor for medical advice regarding side effects if you're in Canada. Call
1-866-234-2345 to report side effects to Health Canada.
Precautions
Tell your doctor or pharmacist before using omeprazole if you have any allergies to it, any comparable medications (such esomeprazole, lansoprazole, or pantoprazole), or any other medications. Inactive chemicals in this product have the potential to trigger allergic reactions or other issues. To learn more, speak with your pharmacist.
Inform your doctor or pharmacist about all of your current medications, especially those for liver disease and lupus, before using this drug.
Some
symptoms might be warning indications for a more serious ailment. Get medical
attention immediately away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
heartburn with fainting, sweating, or dizziness; chest, jaw, arm, or shoulder
discomfort (particularly if it is accompanied by shortness of breath or extreme
perspiration); or unexplained weight loss.
Additionally, if you experience any of these warning symptoms of a severe ailment, get medical attention immediately away before self-treating with this medication: difficulty or discomfort swallowing food, crimson or black faeces, coffee-ground-like vomit, heartburn that has lasted longer than three months, regular chest pain, frequent wheezing (particularly with heartburn), nausea, and stomach pain.
Inform your surgeon or dentist of all the products you use before to surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Your risk
for bone fractures may rise if you use proton pump inhibitors for a longer
period of time, at greater dosages, or if you are older. Consult your doctor or
pharmacist about taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D
supplements to help prevent bone loss and fractures.
The adverse effects of this medication, including bone loss and fractures (see above) and C. difficile infection, may be more severe in older persons (see Side Effects section).
The adverse effects of this medication, including fever, coughing, and infections of the nose, throat, and airways, may be more severe in children.
This drug should only be taken during pregnancy if absolutely necessary. Describe the advantages and disadvantages to your doctor.
This drug is excreted in breast milk. Unknown are the consequences on a breastfeeding infant. Before breastfeeding, speak with your doctor.
Speak to
your doctor or pharmacist.
Interactions
Drug interactions might alter how your drugs function or raise the possibility of major negative side effects. All probable medication interactions are not included in this text. Keep a list of everything you use, including herbal items, prescription and over-the-counter medications, and provide it to your doctor and pharmacist. Without your doctor's consent, never start, stop, or change the dosage of any medications.
Cilostazol,
clopidogrel, mavacamten, methotrexate (particularly high-dose therapy),
rifampin, and St. John's wort are a few products that may interact with this
medication.
Some products require stomach acid to be adequately absorbed by the body. Because omeprazole lowers stomach acid, it could alter how effectively these items function. Atazanavir, erlotinib, levoketoconazole, nelfinavir, pazopanib, rilpivirine, and a few azole antifungals (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), among others, are some of the medications that are impacted.
Esomeprazole and omeprazole are quite similar. While using omeprazole, avoid taking any drugs that include esomeprazole.
This
medicine may affect some laboratory tests, leading to potentially inaccurate
test findings. Make sure all of your physicians and the lab staff are aware
that you use this medication.
Overdose
Call 911 if
someone has overdosed and is exhibiting significant symptoms like fainting out
or difficulty breathing. If not, immediately dial a poison control hotline.
Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach your local poison control centre if you're a US
citizen. Residents of Canada can dial a regional poison control centre.
Confusion, excessive perspiration, impaired vision, and an extremely quick
heartbeat are all possible overdose symptoms.
Notes
Do not give this medication to anybody else if your doctor has prescribed it for you.
If your
doctor advises you to take this medicine consistently for a long time, you may
have frequent medical and laboratory tests (such as a magnesium blood test and
a check of your vitamin B-12 levels) to track your progress or look for adverse
effects. Keep all scheduled visits with the doctor and the lab.
Missed Dose
Take the
missed dosage as soon as you recall it if you miss it. Skip the missed dosage
if it is almost time for the subsequent dose. At the scheduled time, take your
subsequent dose. To catch up, do not increase the dose.
Storage
Away from light and moisture, keep items at room temperature. Keep out of the bathroom. Keep children and pets away from any drugs.
Unless specifically directed to do so, avoid flushing drugs down the toilet or pouring them into drains. When the product is no longer needed or has expired, dispose of it properly. Consult your pharmacist or the neighbourhood waste management firm.