Prilosec

Generic Name: omeprazole (oh MEP ra zol)
Brand Name: FIRST Omeprazole, PriLOSEC, PriLOSEC OTC

What is Prilosec?

Prilosec (omeprazole) belongs to group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It 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 is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

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

Important information about Prilosec

You should not take Prilosec if you are allergic to omeprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole or mebendazole. Prilosec is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take Prilosec if you have liver disease or heart disease, or low levels of magnesium in your blood.

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Some conditions are treated with a combination of omeprazole and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.

Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) should be taken for no longer than 14 days in a row. Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start another 14-day treatment.

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

Before taking Prilosec

You should not take Prilosec if you are allergic to omeprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole or mebendazole.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take Prilosec if you have liver disease or heart disease, or if you have low levels of magnesium in your blood.

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

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;

• osteoporosis, low bone mineral density;

• nausea or vomiting; or

• stomach pain.

Some people taking Prilosec may have an increased risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. This effect has occurred mostly in people taking Prilosec long term or at high doses, and in people who are age 50 and older. Prilosec may not be the actual cause of increased fracture risk. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you have a bone disorder.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of omeprazole and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Prilosec will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

See also: Prilosec pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

Omeprazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Prilosec.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 1 year old without the advice of a doctor.

How should I take Prilosec?

Prilosec is usually taken before eating. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

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 a Prilosec OTC tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.

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

Dissolve the Prilosec powder for oral suspension 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.

This mixture can also be given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube using only a catheter-tipped syringe. Shake the syringe well, then attach it to the NG tube and push the plunger down to empty the syringe into the tube. Refill the syringe with water and flush the tube to wash the contents down.

Use Prilosec for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Prilosec.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of omeprazole and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Prilosec.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking Prilosec?

This medication can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking Prilosec and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

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.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• diarrhea that is watery or bloody; or

• low magnesium (dizziness, confusion, fast or uneven heart rate, jerking muscle movements, jittery feeling, muscle cramps, muscle weakness or limp feeling, cough or choking feeling, seizure).

Common Prilosec side effects may include:

• fever;

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;

• stomach pain, gas;

• nausea, vomiting, mild 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?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Prilosec, especially:

• bosentan;

• cilostazol;

• clopidogrel;

• cyclosporine;

• diazepam, Valium;

• digoxin;

• disulfiram, Antabuse;

• iron (ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfate);

• methotrexate;

• St. John's wort;

• tacrolimus;

• an antibiotic--ampicillin, nafcillin, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine;

• antifungal medicine--ketoconazole, voriconazole;

• a blood thinner such as warfarin, Coumadin;

• a diuretic or "water pill";

• HIV or AIDS medication--atazanavir, efavirenz, nelfinavir, nevirapine, ritonavir, saquinavir; or

• seizure medication--carbamazepine, fosphenytoin, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Prilosec, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Prilosec.