omeprazole mechanism

What is the most important information I should know about omeprazole?
• Over-the-counter omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) should be taken once every24 hours for 14 days omeprazole mechanism. Treatment may be repeated every 4 months if needed omeprazole mechanism. Donot take more than one tablet per day or repeat treatment more often than every4 months omeprazole mechanism. If your condition does not improve or if it appears to worsen, contactyour healthcare provider omeprazole mechanism.
• Do not stop taking omeprazole even if you begin to feel better omeprazole mechanism. Yoursymptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated omeprazole mechanism.

What is omeprazole?
• Omeprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach omeprazole mechanism.
• Omeprazole is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERDor heartburn), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production omeprazole mechanism.
• Omeprazole may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide omeprazole mechanism.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking omeprazole?
• Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor if you have ever had any typeof liver disease omeprazole mechanism. You may not be able to take omeprazole, or you may requirea dosage adjustment or special monitoring omeprazole mechanism.
• Do not use over-the-counter omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) without first talkingto your healthcare provider if you have
· trouble or pain with swallowing;
· vomiting blood;
· bloody or black stools;
· had heartburn for over 3 months;
· heartburn with sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness, chest, shoulder,neck, jaw, or arm pain;
· frequent chest pain;
· heartburn with wheezing;
· unexplained weight loss;
· nausea or vomiting; or
· stomach pain omeprazole mechanism.
• Your doctor should evaluate your condition before taking over-the-counteromeprazole (Prilosec OTC) if you have any of the conditions listed above omeprazole mechanism.
• Omeprazole is in the FDA pregnancy category C omeprazole mechanism. This means that it isnot known whether omeprazole will be harmful to an unborn baby omeprazole mechanism. Do not takeomeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or couldbecome pregnant during treatment omeprazole mechanism.
• It is not known whether omeprazole passes into breast milk omeprazole mechanism. Do not takeomeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding ababy omeprazole mechanism.

How should I take omeprazole?
• Take omeprazole exactly as directed by your doctor omeprazole mechanism. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou omeprazole mechanism.
• Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water omeprazole mechanism.
• Omeprazole is usually taken before a meal omeprazole mechanism. Follow your doctor's instructions omeprazole mechanism.
• Do not crush, chew, or break the over-the-counter omeprazole tablets(Prilosec OTC) omeprazole mechanism. Swallow them whole omeprazole mechanism.
• If you have difficulty swallowing, the prescription omeprazole capsulescan be opened and the contents sprinkled onto a tablespoonful of applesauce omeprazole mechanism. The pellets should be mixed with the applesauce and then swallowed immediately omeprazole mechanism. The applesauce should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed withoutchewing omeprazole mechanism. The pellets should not be chewed or crushed omeprazole mechanism. The pellet/applesaucemixture should not be stored for later use omeprazole mechanism. Follow with a drink of water omeprazole mechanism.
• Over-the-counter omeprazole (Prilosec OTC) should be taken once every24 hours for 14 days omeprazole mechanism. Treatment may be repeated every 4 months if needed omeprazole mechanism. Donot take more than one tablet per day or repeat treatment more often than every4 months omeprazole mechanism. If your condition does not improve or if it appears to worsen, contactyour healthcare provider omeprazole mechanism.
• It is important to take omeprazole regularly to get the most benefit omeprazole mechanism.
• Do not stop taking omeprazole even if you begin to feel better omeprazole mechanism. Yoursymptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated omeprazole mechanism.
• Store omeprazole at room temperature away from moisture and heat omeprazole mechanism.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember omeprazole mechanism. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose omeprazole mechanism. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless your doctordirects otherwise omeprazole mechanism.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected omeprazole mechanism.
• Symptoms of an omeprazole overdose include drowsiness, seizures, shortnessof breath, and decreased body temperature omeprazole mechanism.

What should I avoid while taking omeprazole?
• There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while takingomeprazole, unless otherwise directed by your doctor omeprazole mechanism.

What are the possible side effects of omeprazole?
• If you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closingof the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives), stop takingomeprazole and seek emergency medical attention omeprazole mechanism.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur omeprazole mechanism. Continueto take omeprazole and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness, dizziness, or headache;
· diarrhea, increased gas, or bloating; or
· itching omeprazole mechanism.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur omeprazole mechanism. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome omeprazole mechanism.

What other drugs will affect omeprazole?
• Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor if you are taking any of thefollowing medicines
· warfarin (Coumadin);
· digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
· a medicine for insomnia or anxiety such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam(Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), clorazepate (Tranxene), chlordiazepoxide(Librium), and others;
· cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);
· phenytoin (Dilantin);
· theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin,others);
· itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
· ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen); or
· iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others) omeprazole mechanism.
• You may not be able to take omeprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above omeprazole mechanism.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with omeprazole omeprazole mechanism. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products omeprazole mechanism.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about omeprazole written forhealth professionals that you may read omeprazole mechanism.

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