Prilosec

Generic Name: omeprazole (oh MEP ra zol)
Brand Names: Prilosec, Prilosec OTC

What is Prilosec?

Prilosec decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Prilosec is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid. It is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).

Prilosec may also be given together with antibiotics to treat gastric ulcer caused by infection with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Prilosec may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Prilosec

Before using Prilosec, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have heart disease or liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

Prilosec is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of Prilosec and antibiotics. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Take Prilosec for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the condition is completely treated.

Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) should be taken only once every 24 hours for 14 days. It may take up to 4 days for full effect. Do not take more than one tablet every 24 hours.

Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start another 14-day treatment with Prilosec OTC. Call your doctor if you have additional symptoms and need treatment before the 4 months has passed.

Before taking Prilosec

Do not use Prilosec if you are allergic to omeprazole.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using Prilosec if you have heart disease or liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, dizziness, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, nausea or vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of Prilosec and antibiotics. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Do not use over-the-counter omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) without the advice of a doctor if you have:

• trouble or pain with swallowing;

• bloody or black stools;

• vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds;

• heartburn that has lasted for over 3 months;

• frequent chest pain;

• heartburn with wheezing;

• unexplained weight loss;

• nausea or vomiting; or

• stomach pain.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Prilosec is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Omeprazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings in more detail

Do not give Prilosec to a child without your doctor's advice.

How should I take Prilosec?

Prilosec is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on the medicine label or on your prescription label.

Prilosec is usually taken before eating. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Do not crush, chew, or break a Prilosec enteric-coated tablet. Swallow the tablet whole. The enteric-coated tablet has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the tablet could damage this coating.

You may open the Prilosec delayed-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

Dissolve the Prilosec powder in a small amount of water. Use 1 teaspoon of water for the 2.5-mg packet, or 1 tablespoon of water for the 10-mg packet. Let the mixture stand for 2 or 3 minutes, then stir and drink right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) should be taken only once every 24 hours for 14 days. Take the medicine in the morning before you eat breakfast. It may take up to 4 days for full effect. Do not take more than one tablet every 24 hours.

Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start another 14-day treatment with Prilosec OTC. Call your doctor if you have additional symptoms and need treatment before the 4 months has passed.

Do not crush, chew, or break a Prilosec OTC tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while you are taking this medicine.

Store Prilosec at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, sweating, headache, or dry mouth.

What should I avoid while taking Prilosec?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Prilosec.

Prilosec side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Prilosec: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other less serious Prilosec side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• stomach pain, gas;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Prilosec side effects in more detail

What other drugs will affect Prilosec?

Before taking Prilosec, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);

• clopidogrel (Plavix);

• diazepam (Valium);

• disulfiram (Antabuse);

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• phenytoin (Dilantin);

• ketoconazole (Nizoral), voriconazole (Vfend);

• ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen);

• HIV or AIDS medications such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase); or

• iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Prilosec. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Prilosec.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Copyright 1996-2010 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.02. Revision Date: 12/10/2009 12:54:24 PM.