Omeprazole

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Proton Pump Inhibitor	Losec

Omeprazole - What is it for

Omeprazole is used to treat various conditions of the gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) tract including:
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (a condition where the acid from the stomach goes back up the food tube and throat, causing pain and a burning sensation known as heartburn)
Ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract (treatment and prevention)

Omeprazole - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Omeprazole cause?

Side effects of omeprazole include headaches, gastrointestinal side effects (e.g. abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting and wind).

If persistent please consult your healthcare professional.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body.
Furthermore, unusual symptoms such as muscle spasms (tetany), palpitations, dizziness and seizures may be a sign of low magnesium in the body.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medicine and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Omeprazole, what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
If symptoms (including abdominal pain) persist despite taking this medicine or you develop bloody stool (including blackened stool) or vomit.
This medication may hide the symptoms of other diseases. Inform your healthcare professional if you experience weight loss for no reason or are vomiting food or blood.
This medication may cause the level of magnesium in your body to decrease if you use it for long duration. Inform your healthcare professional if you experience muscle cramps, dizziness or shaking.
This medication may increase your risk of diarrhoea caused by a type of bacteria called Clostridium difficile. Inform your healthcare professional if you have watery or bloody stools that do not stop after a few days.
This medication may increase your risk of bone fractures if you have osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become weak or fragile.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Omeprazole?

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.

This includes:

Medicines which may be used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
Certain blood thinners (e.g. warfarin, clopidogrel).
Certain anti-fungal medicines (e.g. ketoconazole).
Certain drugs to treat mood (e.g. citalopram, imipramine and clomipramine).
Certain drugs to treat seizures (e.g. phenytoin) .
Other medicines such as digoxin, cyclosporin, methotrexate and iron salts

Omeprazole - Dosage and How to Use

How should Omeprazole be used?

Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
Take this medication 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Capsules should be swallowed whole with water.
Contents of the capsule should not be chewed or crushed.
If you have swallowing difficulties, the capsule can be opened and the contents swallowed or suspended in a slightly acidic fluid e.g. fruit juice. The suspension should then be taken within 30 minutes. Alternatively you can open the capsule and swallow the contents.
A liquid preparation is available in some hospitals.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.