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Omeprazole

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Description

Omeprazole is an anti-ulcer medicine used to treat conditions where the stomach produces too much acid. Stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are certain problems caused by high levels of stomach acid. It relieves stress ulcers and also acidity due to the intake of painkillers. Omeprazole is used in combination with antibiotics like amoxicillin and clarithromycin to prevent ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Omeprazole interferes with the final step of acid release in the stomach. Thus, acidity in the stomach is decreased and the ulcer healing process is fastened. Common side effects of Omeprazole are nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and dizziness. Do not use this medicine if you are previously allergic to it. You may have to take Omeprazole one hour before a meal. Avoid spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, and reduce caffeinated drinks or beverage such as coffee, tea and cola while using this medicine. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Always try to finish your dinner three hours before heading to bed.
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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Omeprazole

Stomach discomfort

Sore throat

Loss of appetite

Excessive air or gas in stomach

Diarrhoea

Difficulty in breathing

Dizziness

Muscle or joint pain

Acid or sour stomach

Headache

Nausea and vomiting

Dry mouth

Increased sweating

Muscle weakness

Uses of Omeprazole

What is it prescribed for?

Gastroesophagal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is an acid reflux disease that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the oesophagus or food pipe. Heartburn and acid indigestion are the main symptoms of GERD. This condition can be managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications to an extent. But sometimes medications or surgery is needed to get relief. Omeprazole helps in the treatment of GERD by decreasing stomach acid production.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome is a condition in which tumours form in the pancreas (an organ located behind the stomach) and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). These tumours produce a hormone called gastrin which in turn causes excessive stomach acid. Omeprazole is used to treat an excessive amount of acid produced in the stomach due to tumours.

Gastric and duodenal ulcers

Gastric ulcers are sores that form in the lining of the stomach. Duodenal ulcers are open sores that form in the lining of the duodenum (the beginning of the small intestine). This occurs when excess acid produced in the stomach damage the protective layer of the stomach and duodenum. It can also be caused due to an infection or irritation. Omeprazole is used to treat ulcers of the stomach and small intestine. It is also used to prevent ulcers caused by stress.

Helicobacter pylori Infection

Helicobacter Pylori infection or H. Pylori infection is caused by a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori that infect your stomach. H. Pylori grows inside the protective layer of the stomach lining and are less exposed to stomach acids. It is a very common infection and also the cause of gastritis (swelling of the lining of the stomach) and peptic ulcer disease. This infection can be transmitted from person to person, especially when an infected person does not wash their hands properly after a bowel movement. Omeprazole in combination with antibiotics are used to treat and prevent Helicobacter Pylori infection.

Erosive Esophagitis

Esophagitis is the swelling of the oesophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. It occurs when excess acid produced in the stomach flow back into the oesophagus. It can also be caused due to an infection or irritation in the oesophagus. All these reasons can irritate and damage the lining of the oesophagus, resulting in a condition called erosive oesophagitis. Omeprazole is used to treat erosive esophagitis by decreasing stomach acid production.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    Omeprazole begins its action within an hour of taking it. You will start to feel better in 2-3 days and it may take 4-5 weeks for complete relief.

  • Duration of effect

    After administration, the effect of omeprazole remains in the body for an average duration of 24 hours.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Omeprazole.

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Omeprazole is usually not recommended in pregnant women. It is not known to cause any birth defects. However, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation if there are no alternatives and the benefit outweighs the risk.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    Omeprazole may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in breastfed babies. An alternate medicine may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. If required, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation.

Allergy

Avoid taking Omeprazole if you are previously allergic to it. Allergic reactions are very rare to this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling of the face/tongue/throat), breathing difficulties, etc.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Omeprazole is usually not recommended in pregnant women. It is not known to cause any birth defects. However, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation if there are no alternatives and the benefit outweighs the risk.

Breast-feeding

Omeprazole may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in breastfed babies. An alternate medicine may be preferred, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. If required, it should only be used upon your doctor's recommendation.

General warnings

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Long-term treatment with Omeprazole may decrease the absorption of Vitamin B12 in the body. You should take vitamin B12 supplements if this medicine is used for more than 3 years.

Lupus erythematosus

Lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin, kidneys, brain, joints, and other organs. It occurs when the immune system of the body attacks its own tissues. Lupus may occur or gets worse while using Omeprazole. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience tiredness, painful joints, rashes, or lesions on the skin while using this medicine.

Driving or operating machinery

Omeprazole may cause sleepiness or dizziness. Hence it is advised not to drive vehicles and operate heavy machinery after taking this medicine.

Bone fractures

Long term use of Omeprazole decreases the calcium absorption in the body leading to reduced bone density (thinning of bones). Calcium is essential for bone formation and its deficiency can increase the risk of bone fractures. Take calcium supplements or increase the intake of calcium in your diet to avoid bone thinning. Using Vitamin D supplements along with Omeprazole can help to increase calcium absorption in the body.

Hypomagnesemia

Prolonged use of Omeprazole may result in low magnesium levels in the blood (hypomagnesemia). Inform your doctor in case of dizziness, irregular heartbeat, shivering, muscle pain, seizures or fits. You may have to check magnesium levels in the blood at regular intervals.

Atrophic gastritis

In some patients, continuous use of Omeprazole may cause swelling of the stomach mucosa lasting for a longer duration. Hence use this medicine only for the prescribed period of time.

Missed Dose

Oral forms: Try not to skip the scheduled dose of omeprazole. If it's time for the next dose, do not double the dose. Injection: Omeprazole is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.

Overdose

Oral forms: Seek emergency medical attention or contact the doctor in case of overdose. Injection: Since omeprazole is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the chances of an overdose are very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Methotrexate

Warfarin

Nelfinavir

Fluconazole

Citalopram

Gentamicin

Disease interactions

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which bones become weak and fragile (may break from a fall). Long term use of Omeprazole can reduce bone density (thinning of bones). Calcium is essential for bone formation. This medicine decreases the calcium absorption in the body leading to calcium deficiency. This can increase the risk of bone fractures, especially in osteoporosis patients. Take calcium supplements or increase the intake of calcium in your diet to avoid bone thinning. Using Vitamin D supplements along with Omeprazole can help to increase calcium absorption in the body.

Liver impairment

The primary conversion of Omeprazole to its active form happens in the liver. Therefore patients with liver diseases need special consideration while taking Omeprazole.

Colitis

Omeprazole may cause diarrhoea. Use this medicine with extreme caution in patients with gastrointestinal (mouth to anus) diseases, particularly colitis (swelling of the inner lining of the colon), since it may cause severe diarrhoea.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Omeprazole uses for reducing stomach acid production is effective. Oral forms: Take Omeprazole as instructed by your doctor. Avoid spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, and reduce caffeinated drinks or beverage such as coffee, tea and cola while using this medicine. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Always try to finish your dinner three hours before heading to bed. Injection: Omeprazole should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting.

Miscelleneous

To be taken before food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

Omeprazole reduces the production of acid in the stomach. It stops the action of the proton pumps that are found on cells that line the stomach, which decreases stomach acid production.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Proton pump inhibitors, Anti-Ulcer Agents

Schedule

Schedule H

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Drugs, H., 2021. Omeprazole: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 3 March 2021].

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Drugbank.ca. 2021. Omeprazole | DrugBank Online. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 March 2021].

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Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Omeprazole. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 March 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Omeprazole>

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https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/019810s096lbl.pdf>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Omeprazole 20 mg gastro-resistant tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 March 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/663>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Omeprazole 40 mg Powder for Solution for Infusion - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 3 March 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4864/smpc>
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Information on this page was last updated on 9 Mar 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.