Details

Omeprazole belongs to group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. It decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. Omeprazole 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 oesophagus caused by stomach acid). Omeprazole may also be given together with antibiotics to treat gastric ulcer caused by infection with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). You should not take this medication if you are allergic to omeprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole or mebendazole. Do not use over-the-counter omeprazole 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 or nausea or vomiting, stomach pain. Do not give omeprazole to a child younger than 1 year old without the advice of a doctor.

Typical Uses

Omeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and oesophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and oesophagus helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the oesophagus. Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Side Effects

Common omeprazole side effects may include severe stomach pain, diarrhoea that is watery or bloody seizure (convulsions) kidney problems-urinating more or less than usual, blood in your urine, swelling, rapid weight gain or symptoms of low magnesium-dizziness, confusion fast or uneven heart rate tremors (shaking) or jerking muscle movements feeling jittery muscle cramps, muscle spasms in your hands and feet cough or choking feeling.

Drug Interactions

• Omeprazole+atazanavir- Using atazanavir together with omeprazole is not recommended. By reducing stomach acid, omeprazole can decrease the absorption and blood levels of atazanavir and make the medication less effective against HIV. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to offer suggestions on safer alternatives if you require treatment for stomach acid or ulcer while you are being treated with atazanavir.
• Omeprazole+citalopram- Talk to your doctor before using citalopram together with omeprazole. Combining these medications may increase the blood levels of citalopram and increase the risk of certain side effects, including an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious or life-threatening. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Omeprazole+methotrexate- Talk to your doctor before using methotrexate together with omeprazole. Using these medications together can increase the blood levels and side effects of methotrexate. Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to offer suggestions on safer alternatives if you require treatment for stomach acid or ulcer while you are being treated with methotrexate.
• Omeprazole+nelfinavir- Ask your doctor before using omeprazole together with nelfinavir. Omeprazole may decrease the effects of nelfinavir. Ask your doctor to consider an alternative to omeprazole. If your doctor prescribes these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment to safely use both medications.

Mechanism of action

Omeprazole belongs to class of medications called proton pump inhibitors. It blocks the activity of the proton pumps in the stomach wall that produce acid, thereby reducing the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Pregnancy Category : C