OMEPRAZOLE

Brand & Generic Names

Losec
Prilosec

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antiulcer

Uses

• Treats gastroesophageal reflux (splashing of stomach acid from the stomach up onto the lower end of the esophagus).
• Treats peptic ulcer in the stomach and duodenum.
• Treats any disorder associated with excess production of stomach acid.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsules--Swallow whole. Do not crush, chew or break open.
If directed by your doctor, it is permissible and sometimes helpful to take with antacid medicine to relieve upper abdominal pain. Antacids may be used more than once daily if needed.

When to take:
Once daily, immediately before a meal (preferably breakfast), unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Prevents secretion of stomach acid no matter what its original cause.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 minutes to 1 hour.

Don't take with:
Tobacco, excess caffeine or spicy diet.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe drowsiness, seizures, breathing difficulty, decreased body temperature.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Abdominal pain, itching skin.

Infrequent:

Muscle pain; dizziness, headache, drowsiness; chest pain, diarrhea, gaseousness.

Rare:

Weakness or unusual tiredness, sore throat, fever sores on mouth, unusual bleeding or bruising, cloudy urine, difficult or painful urination, painful nocturnal erections in males.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to omeprazole.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
• If you have liver disease now or a history of liver disease in the past.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Safety not established. Best to avoid or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Safety not established. Consult doctor.

Prolonged use:
May cause carcinoid tumors if taken for over 8 weeks.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Treatment of ulcers usually requires 4 to 6 weeks, although symptoms may greatly improve in 1 or 2 weeks.
• May affect results of some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*	Increased anticoagulant effect. May
(warfarin, coumadin,	require dosage adjustment.
Diazepam	Delayed excretion and therefore
	increased concentration of
	diazepam.
Phenytoin	Delayed excretion and therefore
	increased concentration of
	omeprazole.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Decreased omeprazole effect.
Caffeine drinks.	Decreased omeprazole effect.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Spicy or highly seasoned.	Decreased omeprazole effect.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	Decreased omeprazole effect.