Skip to main content

Prilosec

Generic name: omeprazoleoh-MEP-ra-zol ]
Drug class: Proton pump inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Sophia Entringer, PharmD. Last updated on Feb 21, 2024.

What is Prilosec?

Prilosec is a proton pump inhibitor that 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. Omeprazole 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).

Over-the-counter Prilosec OTC is used in adults to help control heartburn that occurs 2 or more days per week. Prilosec OTC must be taken as a course for 14 days in a row.

Warnings

Prilosec is not to be used for the immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

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

Omeprazole can cause kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you are urinating less than usual, or if you have blood in your urine.

Diarrhea may be a sign of a new infection. Call your doctor if you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it.

Prilosec may cause new or worsening symptoms of lupus. Tell your doctor if you have joint pain and a skin rash on your cheeks or arms that worsens in sunlight.

You may be more likely to have a broken bone while taking this medicine long term or more than once per day.

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.

Before taking this medicine

Heartburn can mimic early symptoms of a heart attack. Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel sweaty or light-headed.

You should not use Prilosec if you are allergic to omeprazole, or if:

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is safe to use if you have:

You may be more likely to have a broken bone in your hip, wrist, or spine while taking a proton pump inhibitor long-term or more than once per day. Talk with your doctor about ways to keep your bones healthy.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Do not give Prilosec to a child without medical advice.

How should I take Prilosec?

Take Prilosec exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Use Prilosec OTC (over-the-counter) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

You must dissolve Prilosec powder in a small amount of water. This mixture can either be swallowed or given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube using a catheter-tipped syringe.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.

OTC Prilosec should be taken for only 14 days in a row. It may take 1 to 4 days before your symptoms improve. Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start a new 14-day course of treatment.

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

Some conditions are treated with a combination of Prilosec and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed.

This medicine can affect the results of 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 medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

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

What to avoid

This medicine can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor before using anti-diarrhea medicine.

Prilosec side effects

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

Stop using Prilosec and call your doctor at once if you have:

Taking Prilosec long-term may cause you to develop stomach growths called fundic gland polyps. Talk with your doctor about this risk.

If you use omeprazole for longer than 3 years, you could develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Talk to your doctor about how to manage this condition if you develop it.

Common Prilosec side effects may include:

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.

What other drugs will affect Prilosec?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect omeprazole, especially:

This list is not complete and many Other drugs may interact with omeprazole. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

omeprazole, amoxicillin, famotidine, pantoprazole, metronidazole, esomeprazole, sucralfate, Protonix, Nexium, lansoprazole

Popular FAQ

Is omeprazole (Prilosec) bad for your kidneys?

Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is used to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and it can be bad for your kidneys. It can cause acute kidney injury and may also worsen the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Continue reading

Pantoprazole vs. omeprazole: What's the difference between them?

Pantoprazole and omeprazole are both medicines from the class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). The approved uses for pantoprazole and omeprazole differ slightly, but they are all disorders related to too much stomach acid. Continue reading

Is famotidine safer than omeprazole for heartburn?

Famotidine is usually the first choice to treat occasional heartburn if your symptoms occur less than two times per week. It can be used as needed, provides quick relief (within 15 to 30 minutes), and is usually less expensive than omeprazole. Omeprazole may be an option if your heartburn occurs two or more days per week. Both products are available without a prescription. Continue reading

Can you take an antacid with omeprazole?

You can take an antacid with omeprazole if you are still getting symptoms of indigestion because it can take several days for omeprazole to start working. Take omeprazole as directed (usually taken once daily on an empty stomach), and take antacids as needed to relieve indigestion pain after eating. But tell your doctor if several weeks have gone past and omeprazole does not seem to be working or you are still taking antacids. Continue reading

Can I take omeprazole in the morning and famotidine at night?

Yes, you could take omeprazole in the morning and famotidine at night but there are not many studies investigating this approach. Preliminary results suggest that taking your medication this way may provide superior control of gastric acid secretion at night without compromising the effectiveness of omeprazole in the morning. More research is needed. Continue reading

Does omeprazole cause cancer?

Long-term use of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) acid-suppressing agents, such as omeprazole, has been associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer (also called gastric cancer). This is based on the results of several observational studies and is thought to be because PPIs such as omeprazole are potent gastric acid suppressants that may increase the risk of gastric cancer by causing atrophy (thinning) of the stomach lining, elevating levels of a hormone called gastrin, and an overgrowth of bacteria in the stomach. Continue reading

More FAQ

View more FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Prilosec only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.