Omeprazole Tablets

Omeprazole is a medication that treats conditions that cause too much stomach acid like heartburn, stomach ulcers and reflux disease. It works by reducing the amount of acid in your stomach. It can take several days before your stomach pain gets better after taking this medication.

What is this medication?

OMEPRAZOLE (oh ME pray zol) is used to treat heartburn, stomach ulcers, reflux disease, or other conditions that cause too much stomach acid. It works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach. It belongs to a group of medications called PPIs.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Prilosec OTC

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What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Chest pain
• Have had heartburn for over 3 months
• Have heartburn with dizziness, lightheadedness or sweating
• Liver disease
• Low levels of calcium, magnesium, or potassium in the blood
• Lupus
• Stomach pain
• Trouble swallowing
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting with blood
• Wheezing
• An unusual or allergic reaction to omeprazole, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the product label. Do not cut, crush or chew this medication. Swallow the tablets whole. Take this medication on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast. Take your medication at regular intervals. Do not take it more often than directed.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Atazanavir
• Clopidogrel
• Nelfinavir
• Rilpivirine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Antifungals like itraconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole
• Certain antivirals for HIV or hepatitis
• Certain medications that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
• Cilostazol
• Citalopram
• Cyclosporine
• Dasatinib
• Digoxin
• Disulfiram
• Diuretics
• Erlotinib
• Iron supplements
• Medications for anxiety, panic, and sleep like diazepam
• Medications for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• Methotrexate
• Mycophenolate mofetil
• Nilotinib
• Rifampin
• St. John's wort
• Tacrolimus
• Vitamin B12

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

It can take several days before your stomach pain gets better. Check with your care team if your condition does not start to get better, or if it gets worse.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your care team if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

You may need blood work done while you are taking this medication.

Using this medication for a long time may weaken your bones. The risk of bone fractures may be increased. Talk to your care team about your bone health.

Using this medication for a long time may cause growths (polyps) in the stomach. They usually don't cause any symptoms. They are usually not cancerous. Contact your care team if you notice pain or tenderness when you press your stomach, have nausea, or see bloody or black, tar-like stools.

This medication may cause a decrease in vitamin B12. You should make sure that you get enough vitamin B12 while you are taking this medication. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your care team.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Low magnesium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness, fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, tremors
• Low vitamin B12 level—pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating
• Rash on the cheeks or arms that gets worse in the sun
• Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Severe diarrhea, fever
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Gas
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put in the trash, empty the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

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Note: Introduction and Additional Common Questions written and medically approved by Cleveland Clinic professionals.

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