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Omeprazole
Information about Omeprazole
Omeprazole uses
How omeprazole works
Omeprazole lowers the acid production in the stomach.
Common side effects of omeprazole
Nausea, Abdominal pain, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Flatulence
Available Medicine for Omeprazole
Expert advice for Omeprazole
- Inform your doctor if you do not feel better after taking it for 14 days as you may be suffering from some other problem that needs attention.
- Omeprazole can decrease magnesium levels in blood. Get your magnesium levels checked regularly. You may need a magnesium supplement or need to discontinue your medicine.
- Inform your doctor if you are suffering from osteoporosis as Omeprazole can weaken your bones by decreasing calcium levels in blood. You may need a calcium supplement, preferably calcium citrate.
- Omeprazole is a well-tolerated medicine and provides relief for a long time.
- It may take a few days to show its effect. You can take an antacid for a quick relief during this time unless your doctor has asked you not to use them.
- Once you start feeling better, do not stop taking your medicine. Take it for the duration as advised by your doctor
Frequently asked questions for Omeprazole
Omeprazole
Q. Is omeprazole gluten free?
Yes. Omeprazole is gluten free. Please refer to the package insert of the prescribed brand before use.
Q. Why is omeprazole enteric-coated?
Omeprazole gets absorbed in the small intestine, so it must reach there intact form for proper absorption. However, can be easily degraded by the stomach acid and does not reach the small intestine in intact form leading to decrease in its absorption. Enteric coating saves the tablet from stomach acid so that it can reach the small intestine in intact form.
Q. Can I take omeprazole with domperidone?
Omeprazole can be safely taken with domperidone as no harmful effects have been reported clinically. A fixed-dose combination of these two medicines is also available. Domperidone works by increasing the gut motility and Rabeprazole decreases the acid production in the stomach. So, this combination is very effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis associated with acidity, heartburn, intestinal and stomach ulcers.
Q. What are the various conditions in which the use of omeprazole is contraindicated?
Use of omeprazole is contraindicated if you are allergic to this medicine or any other medicine belonging to the same class of drugs. Also, do not take omeprazole if you are already taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used for the treatment of HIV infection).
Q. What if I miss my dose of omeprazole?
If you miss a dose of omeprazole, take it as soon as you remember and the next dose as scheduled. However, if it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose and then follow the regular schedule. Do not take double the dose.
Q. Can I take omeprazole along with oral contraceptive pills (birth control pills)?
Omeprazole can be safely taken with oral contraceptive pills (birth control). They do not affect each other's action and no harmful effects have been seen when they are used together.
Q. What is omeprazole?
Omeprazole belongs to the group of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). This drug decreases the acid production in your stomach and is indicated for the treatment of conditions caused by excess acid secretion in the stomach.
Q. Is omeprazole better than pantoprazole?
Omeprazole and pantoprazole both belong to the same class of drugs and are used in disease conditions with excess acid production like heartburn, acidity, stomach ulcers and intestinal ulcers. Both work by decreasing acid production in the stomach and are seen to be almost equally effective and safe in many clinical research studies. However, the response may vary from patient to patient and depend on the dose.
Q. How long does it take for omeprazole to start working?
Omeprazole may start to work on the first day of taking it, however, it may take 3 to 4 days to achieve its full effect. You may need to add another acid-lowering drug for relief in the initial few days.
Q. What foods should be avoided while taking omeprazole?
You should preferably avoid taking foods that cause acidity and heartburn when you are taking omeprazole as these foods would aggravate your disease condition, for example: foods that are fried, prepared in butter or oil, fat rich foods, tomato-based foods and juices, caffeinated drinks like cola, tea, drinks from citrus fruits like lemon water or orange juice and alcohol-containing drinks.
Q. Can I take omeprazole during pregnancy?
Omeprazole may be unsafe to take during pregnancy. There is limited data available from humans, however, animal studies have shown harmful effects of omeprazole use on the foetus (unborn baby). Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby before taking omeprazole as your doctor would be able to advise you better on the basis of your underlying health condition.
Q. Can omeprazole cause subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus?
Omeprazole has been reported to cause subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus in many studies. Common signs and symptoms of this disease include painful joints, tiredness, weakness, rash, fever, anemia, mouth ulcers, hair loss, and many others and these may get aggravated again and again. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects as you may need to discontinue this medicine.
Q. What are the side effects of omeprazole in infants?
Use of omeprazole in infants (children < 1 year of age) may cause common side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach, and flatulence. Use of omeprazole in infants may cause the infants to be irritable and inconsolable and they are unable to sleep which could be due to the associated side effects. Long-term use may cause inflammation of the pancreas, irritable colon, stool discoloration, growth of fungus in the esophagus, stomatitis, abdominal swelling and mucosal atrophy of the tongue. Long-term use decreases the absorption of vitamins and minerals needed for healthy growth. Some infants may be allergic to omeprazole and develop severe allergic reactions and can experience chest tightness, swelling of the throat, difficulty in breathing, rashes, hives and itching.
Q. Where does omeprazole gets absorbed in the body?
Omeprazole gets absorbed in the small intestine.
Q. Can omeprazole affect my driving?
Omeprazole is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, omeprazole can cause dizziness and visual disturbances, so, you may need to be careful while driving or operating any machinery if you experience these symptoms.
Q. Is omeprazole better than lansoprazole?
Omeprazole and lansoprazole are two different medicines belonging to the same class 'proton pump inhibitors'. Some studies mention that lansoprazole is more effective than omeprazole for rapid relief of symptomatic heartburn. However, the effect of these medicines may vary upon individual response.
Q. Is omeprazole better than probiotics?
Probiotics and omeprazole perform different functions in the body. Omeprazole suppresses acid production in the stomach to prevent injury to the walls of the stomach and esophagus while probiotics help to prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the body, help to maintain a balance in the stomach between good and harmful bacteria and protect the stomach from infections. Probiotics and omeprazole both are useful in the eradication of helicobacter pylori, which can cause stomach ulcers and also contribute to acid reflux.
Q. Can I take omeprazole with ondansetron?
Ondansetron is an anti-emetic medicine which helps in relieving nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting. No harmful effects have been seen when omeprazole is used with ondansetron. So, these two medicines can be taken together.
Q. How long does omeprazole stay in the body?
Omeprazole stays in the body for almost 72 hours after stopping the medicine. Omeprazole is removed from the body through the urine.
Q. Can omeprazole cause lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance has been reported with the use of omeprazole in some patients. Many omeprazole preparations contain lactose as an ingredient. This is a digestive problem in which the patient cannot digest lactose, a type of sugar mainly found in milk and dairy products. The patient may complain of symptoms like flatulence (gas), diarrhea, bloating, stomach pain and feeling of being sick (nausea). Read the ingredients mentioned on the pack before taking the medicine.
Q. Can I take omeprazole with Vitamin E?
Omeprazole can be taken with vitamin E. The combinations seems to have a beneficial effect in terms of better maintenance of moderate to severe esophagitis. However, there are not many studies or reports on this subject. Talk to your doctor for more information on this.
Q. Can I take omeprazole with levosulpiride?
Omeprazole can be safely taken with levosulpiride as no harmful effects have been reported clinically. A fixed-dose combination of these two medicines is also available. Levosulpiride works by increasing the gut motility and Omeprazole decreases the acid production in the stomach. So, this combination is very effective in the treatment of reflux esophagitis associated with acidity, heartburn, intestinal and stomach ulcers.
Q. Is omeprazole better than famotidine?
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and famotidine is an H2 blocker. Both lowers the amount of acid in your stomach, treats heartburn, and heals ulcers. Studies have shown that omeprazole is more effective than famotidine for the control of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms, in rapid healing of duodenal ulcers and achieving more rapid pain relief. However, the effect of these medicines may vary upon individual response.
Q. When and how should I take omeprazole capsules or tablets?
Omeprazole capsules or tablets should be taken once a day in the morning preferably empty stomach at least half to one hour before breakfast. Swallow your medicine whole with minimum half a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the tablets or capsules.
Q. Does omeprazole use increase the risk of clostridium difficile infection?
Use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole may be associated with an increased risk of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD) as reported in few studies and informed by the US FDA as well. A possibility of CDAD can be there in patients taking PPIs and developed diarrhea that does not improve.
Q. Can omeprazole be used in cancer patients?
Omeprazole can be taken by cancer patients as prescribed by a doctor. Since cancer patients may also take many other medicines for the primary cancer treatment or for other symptoms and infections, there are chances of drug interactions with omeprazole.
Q. For how long can omeprazole be taken?
Take omeprazole for as long as advised by your doctor. The duration of taking omeprazole would vary depending on your condition. You may be asked to take this drug for 2 weeks for healing of your duodenal ulcers, 4 weeks for stomach ulcers and 4 to 8 weeks for GERD symptoms and for ulcers caused by NSAIDs. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor.
Q. Can omeprazole cause calcium deficiency and osteoporosis?
Omeprazole can cause osteoporosis (thinning of bones) as it decreases the calcium absorption leading to calcium deficiency. This leads to an increased risk of bone fractures on long-term use, like hip, wrist or spine fractures. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (these can increase the risk of osteoporosis) before starting your therapy. Take enough calcium and vitamin D to reduce the risk.
Q. What are the rare side effects of omeprazole?
Rare side effects seen with the use of omeprazole includes a decrease in white cells or platelets, allergic reactions, problems like blurred vision, wheezing, shortness of breath (bronchospasm), dry mouth, thrush, liver problems like jaundice, hair loss (alopecia), skin rash on exposure to sunshine, joint pains (arthralgia) or muscle pains (myalgia), severe kidney problems (interstitial nephritis), increased sweating and inflammation of the gut causing diarrhoea.
Q. Can I take omeprazole forever or it has side effects on long term use?
People who take multiple daily doses of omeprazole for a long period of time (a year or longer) may have decreased calcium levels leading to an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine. It can also decrease magnesium levels when used for more than 3 months. Long-term use may also cause inflammation of stomach lining (atrophic gastritis). So, it should be used for a duration as advised by the doctor.
Q. How does omeprazole work?
Proton (acid) pumps are found on the stomach mucosa and they are responsible for secreting acid in the stomach. Omeprazole works by blocking this gastric acid pump and this unique mechanism of action helps in decreasing the acid secretion in the stomach.
Q. Does omeprazole contain gelatin?
Omeprazole does not contain gelatin as one of its constituent. However, in the capsule dosage form of omeprazole, the outer capsule that contains the medicine is made up of gelatin.
Q. Does omeprazole cause hepatitis B and can a patient of hepatitis take omeprazole?
Omeprazole can rarely cause hepatitis with or without jaundice and very rarely it can lead to hepatic failure and encephalopathy in patients with the underlying liver disease. Omeprazole does not cause hepatitis B or any other viral hepatitis. However, there are studies showing an increased occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy in hepatitis B patients using PPIs. These medicines should be used with caution in patients with the underlying liver disease.
Q. Is omeprazole better than dexlansoprazole?
Omeprazole and dexlansoprazole are two different medicines belonging to the same class of proton pump inhibitors. There are no studies which compare omeprazole and dexlansoprazole. Omeprazole and dexlansoprazole have similar action, but their effect may vary in different patients.
Q. Does omeprazole increase chromogranin levels?
Use of proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole has been seen to be associated with an increase in chromogranin levels. This increase in chromogranin levels can be due to the effect of these drugs on enterochromaffin cells and this could also falsely increase the levels in patients with neuroendocrine tumours.
Q. Does omeprazole cause dementia?
Use of proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole has been recently linked with the development of dementia in elderly patients. As this risk of developing dementia is not confirmed, talk to your doctor for more information on this effect.
Q. Who can take omeprazole?
Adults and children more than 1 year of age and more than 10 kg in weight can take omeprazole.
Q. Does omeprazole cause vitamin deficiencies?
Omeprazole may cause vitamin B12 and vitamin C deficiency. When taken orally, vitamin B12 requires an acidic environment for its absorption from the stomach while omeprazole causes a decrease the gastric acid secretion. You may need to take vitamin B12 supplements from outside. The clinical significance of the decrease in vitamin C levels is not known, so vitamin C supplementation is not recommended.
Q. Does omeprazole have an expiry date?
Yes, omeprazole does expire. Please check the expiry date written on the pack and it refers to the last day of that month. Do not use omeprazole after the expiry date.
Q. What is the role of omeprazole before endoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding?
Omeprazole before endoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding reduces the need for endoscopic therapy, the rate of post-endoscopy bleeding, and shortens hospital stays. Hence omeprazole is given before endoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.
Q. Is omeprazole better than ranitidine?
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and ranitidine is an H2 blocker. Both lowers the amount of acid in your stomach, treats heartburn, and heals ulcers. Studies have shown that omeprazole is more effective than ranitidine in resolving heartburn in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), rapid healing of ulcers and prevent ulcers in patients who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the effect of these medicines may vary upon individual response.
Q. Are there any withdrawal symptoms associated with the use of omeprazole?
There are no withdrawal symptoms seen when patients stop using omeprazole as it has no habit forming tendencies.
Q. Can omeprazole cause magnesium deficiency?
Omeprazole can cause magnesium deficiency in the blood. Low magnesium levels is a rare side effect seen in patients treated with omeprazole for at least three months and in most cases after a year of therapy. The patient may have symptoms like tetany, arrhythmias, and seizures and may need to stop this medicine and take magnesium from outside. Magnesium levels should be tested at regular intervals in the patients taking omeprazole for a long duration.
Q. Is omeprazole a controlled substance?
Omeprazole is not a controlled substance. It is available when prescribed by a doctor.
Q. Can omeprazole be used in cardiac patients?
Patients with cardiac disease can take omeprazole. However, omeprazole can interact with certain drugs (e.g clopidogrel, digoxin) which might be used by a patient with an underlying cardiac disease. Patients taking omeprazole and digoxin may need to be monitored for digoxin toxicity. Omeprazole decreases the activation of clopidogrel, thus reducing its effects. Patients taking these medicines together needs to be monitored closely by a doctor.
Q. What is omeprazole used for?
Omeprazole is used to treat and prevent duodenal ulcers, stomach ulcers and ulcers caused by the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs; pain killers) and along with antibiotics for the treatment of stomach ulcers infected with a bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori. Omeprazole is also indicated for the treatment of reflux oesophagitis, symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Q. Does omeprazole cause iron deficiency?
Use of omeprazole can cause iron deficiency and a decrease in hemoglobin levels as it decreases the acidic environment of the stomach needed for the absorption of iron. However, there are no recommendations on the regular monitoring of iron levels or taking iron supplements when the patient is taking omeprazole.
Q. How is omeprazole different from esomeprazole?
Omeprazole and esomeprazole both belong to the same class of drugs and are used in disease conditions with excess acid production like heartburn, acidity, stomach ulcers and intestinal ulcers. Esomeprazole is an S-isomer of omeprazole. Studies have shown that esomeprazole provides more effective and rapid acid control than omeprazole, without any increase in side effects and fewer variations in response between different patients.
Q. Is omeprazole a narcotic substance?
Omeprazole is a not a narcotic substance and has not been reported to have any abuse potential. Omeprazole does not get you high and does not cause any addiction as no withdrawal symptoms have been reported when you stop taking this drug.
Q. Can I take omeprazole during lactation?
Omeprazole passes (excreted) into the breast milk but is not likely to cause any harmful effects to the child when taken in doses as advised. Your doctor can help you decide whether you should take omeprazole during breastfeeding (lactation) or not.
Q. Can omeprazole be used in pediatric patients?
Omeprazole can be used in children more than 1 year of age only when advised by the doctor.
Q. Is omeprazole available without a prescription as an over the counter product?
Omeprazole is a prescription medicine and you can buy this drug by providing a doctor's prescription. Omeprazole is not available as an over the counter (OTC) product.
Q. How is omeprazole metabolised in the body?
Omeprazole is metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 enzymes mainly CYP2C19. There could be an increase in the level of omeprazole in patients with underlying liver disease because of a decrease in its metabolism. However, the amount of drug does not increase if given once a day.
Q. How do I store omeprazole?
Store omeprazole below 25°C (between 15°C and 30°C). Keep in a cool and dark place in the original pack.
Q. Can omeprazole be used in stroke patients?
Omeprazole can be used in stroke patients. There are studies suggesting that proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) as a class are not associated with an increased short-term risk of recurrent stroke or death among older adults treated with clopidogrel after stroke.
Q. How is Omeprazole better than cimetidine?
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor and cimetidine is an H2 receptor blocker. They act in different ways but both decrease the acid production in the stomach. However, Omeprazole is more potent, longer acting, and has fewer adverse effects when compared to cimetidine.
Q. Is Omeprazole better than rabeprazole?
Omeprazole and Rabeprazole belong to the same class of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and work in the same way to decrease acid production in the stomach. However, few clinical studies have shown that rabeprazole provides better relief of the symptoms including the daytime pain of duodenal ulcers. The difference in response may also vary in different patients