Omeprazole

Brand Names

Prilosec, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid (Original Formulation)

What is Omeprazole

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used to treat dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, gastro esophageal reflux disease, laryngopharyngeal reflux and Zollinger–Ellison syndrome. Omeprazole is one of the most widely prescribed drugs internationally and is available over the counter in some countries.

Side effects of Omeprazole

The common side effects may include:

• Headaches
• Abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
• Upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold.
• Prilosec and Dry Mouth
• Prilosec and Hair Loss
• Prilosec and Insomnia
• Prilosec and Weight Gain.)

Indication

Omeprazole is used to treat certain conditions where there is too much acid in the stomach. It is used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition where the acid in the stomach washes back up into the esophagus. Sometimes omeprazole is used in combination with antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, clarithromycin) to treat ulcers associated with infection caused by the H. pylori bacteria.

Omeprazole is also used to treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, a condition where the stomach produces too much acid.

Omeprazole is also used to treat dyspepsia, a condition that causes sour stomach, belching, heart burn, or indigestion.

Precautions

If you noticed any of these conditions while taking Omeprazole (Prilosec) you contact your doctor immediately:

• Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
• Low blood magnesium (hypomagnesaemia)

Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let you doctor know if you are: Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are taking any medicines including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements you should inform you doctor.

Dosage forms

Omeprazole is available as tablets and capsules (containing omeprazole or omeprazole magnesium) in strengths of 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and in some markets 80 mg; and as a powder (omeprazole sodium) for intravenous injection. Most oral omeprazole preparations are enteric-coated, due to the rapid degradation of the drug in the acidic conditions of the stomach. This is most commonly achieved by formulating enteric-coated granules within capsules, enteric-coated tablets, and the multiple-unit pellet system (MUPS).

It is also available for use in injectable form (I.V.). The injection pack is a combination pack consisting of a vial and a separate ampule of reconstituting solution. Each 10 ml clear glass vial contains a white to off-white lyophilized powder consisting of omeprazole sodium 42.6 mg equivalent to 40 mg of omeprazole.