What to know about omeprazole
Omeprazole may interfere with the action of some antiretroviral drugs. However, researchers have not consistently reported this effect.
Omeprazole Capsule,Delayed Release (Enteric Coated) – Uses, Side Effects, and More
Omeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus 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 cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus. Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).If you are self-treating with this medication, over-the-counter omeprazole products are used to treat frequent heartburn (occurring 2 or more days a week). Since it may take 1 to 4 days to have full effect, these products do not relieve heartburn right away.For over-the-counter products, carefully read the package instructions to make sure the product is right for you. Check the ingredients on the label even if you have used the product before. The manufacturer may have changed the ingredients. Also, products with similar brand names may contain different ingredients meant for different purposes. Taking the wrong product could harm you.
How to use Omeprazole Capsule,Delayed Release (Enteric Coated)
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking omeprazole and each time you get a refill.
Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily, before a meal. If you are self-treating, follow all directions on the product package. Dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, the dosage is also based on weight. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Do not crush, break, or chew this medication. Swallow the capsules whole. If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you may open the capsule if it is not sealed and carefully sprinkle its contents on a spoonful of soft, cool applesauce. Swallow all of the mixture right away without chewing it. Then drink a glass of cool water to make sure you have swallowed all of the dose. Do not prepare the mixture ahead of time for later use. Doing so may destroy the drug.
If needed, antacids may be taken along with this medication. If you are also taking sucralfate, take omeprazole at least 30 minutes before sucralfate.
Inflated pharmaceutical prices are another huge factor in the steep cost of healthcare. Americans spend an average of $858 per person on prescription drugs, according to Vox. That’s about twice as much as people in Australia spend on prescriptions. It’s three times the amount paid by people in The Netherlands.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Continue to take this medication for the prescribed length of treatment even if you are feeling better. If you are self-treating with the over-the-counter product, do not take it for more than 14 days unless directed by your doctor.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse. If you are self-treating, tell your doctor if your heartburn lasts after 14 days or if you need to use this medication more than once every 4 months. The risk of side effects goes up over time. Ask your doctor how long you should take this medication. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right away.
Side Effects
See also Precautions section.
Headache or abdominal pain may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
If your doctor has directed you to use this product, remember that your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat, seizures), signs of lupus (such as rash on nose and cheeks, new or worsening joint pain).
This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop: diarrhea that doesn’t stop, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, blood/mucus in your stool.
If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.
Rarely, proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole) have caused vitamin B-12 deficiency. The risk is increased if they are taken every day for a long time (3 years or longer). Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of vitamin B-12 deficiency (such as unusual weakness, sore tongue, or numbness/tingling of the hands/feet).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Precautions
Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, lupus.
Some symptoms may actually be signs of a more serious condition. Get medical help right away if you have: heartburn with lightheadedness/sweating/dizziness, chest/jaw/arm/shoulder pain (especially with shortness of breath, unusual sweating), unexplained weight loss.
In addition, before you self-treat with this medication, get medical help right away if you have any of these signs of a serious condition: trouble/pain swallowing food, bloody vomit, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, bloody/black stools, heartburn for over 3 months, frequent chest pain, frequent wheezing (especially with heartburn), nausea/vomiting, stomach pain.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole) may increase your risk for bone fractures, especially with longer use, higher doses, and in older adults. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to prevent bone loss/fracture, such as by taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D supplements.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially bone loss and fractures (see above), and C. difficile infection (see Side Effects section).
Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially fever, cough, and infections of the nose/throat/airways.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk. The effects on a nursing infant are unknown. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
What to know about omeprazole
Omeprazole belongs to the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) class of medications. Doctors prescribe omeprazole to reduce stomach acid to help treat a variety of digestive conditions.
People can also use over-the-counter (OTC) omeprazole to relieve heartburn or acid reflux.
Although most people tolerate omeprazole well, there are certain risks when people use it for a long period of time.
In this article, we review the uses, side effects, and drug interactions of omeprazole.
A PPI will reduce the acid in the stomach, which will help heal the stomach lining to help treat a range of conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved omeprazole capsules and granules for the following medical conditions:
- intestinal ulcers in adults
- stomach ulcers in adults
- Helicobacter pylori infections, in combination with antibiotic therapy
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in people aged 1 and above
- GERD-induced erosive esophagitis in people aged 1 and above
- maintaining healing of erosive esophagitis in people aged 1 and above
- Zollinger–Ellison syndrome
People can use OTC omeprazole tablets to treat frequent heartburn that occurs two or more times per week.
However, doctors do not recommend omeprazole tablets for immediate heartburn relief because it can take up to 4 days before it has its full effect.
Omeprazole is a PPI. Proton pumps are also called hydrogen-potassium pumps, and they are located along the inner lining of the stomach. These pumps are responsible for releasing acid into the stomach.
PPIs such as omeprazole will block the release of acid, thus decreasing the acidity inside the stomach.
Omeprazole takes around 1 hour to block the production of stomach acid, and its maximal effect occurs around 2 hours after taking the pill. The action of omeprazole can continue for about 3 days.
Omeprazole is available in three dosage types. The table below lists these dosage types, plus their strengths in milligrams (mg).
| Dosage form | Strength |
| Omeprazole delayed release capsules | 10 mg 20 mg 40 mg |
| Omeprazole granules for oral suspension | 2.5 mg 10 mg |
| Omeprazole tablets | 20 mg |
Doctors must make an accurate diagnosis before prescribing omeprazole, as each diagnosis requires different treatments.
The following table lists the dosing instructions for each use of omeprazole.
| Use | Dosing instructions | Frequency of use |
| intestinal ulcers in adults | 20 mg once daily | 4 weeks, but some people may require a total of 8 weeks |
| H. pylori infections, along with 2 antibiotics | 20 mg twice daily along with 2 antibiotics | 10 days |
| H. pylori infections, along with 1 antibiotic | 40 mg once daily along with 1 antibiotic | 14 days |
| stomach ulcers in adults | 40 mg once daily | 4–8 weeks |
| GERD in people aged 1 and above | 20 mg once daily | 4–8 weeks |
| maintain healing of erosive esophagitis in people aged 1 and above | 20 mg once daily | studies have not explored its use past 12 months |
| Zollinger–Ellison syndrome | 60 mg once daily | some people with this condition have used omeprazole continuously for more than 5 years |
Doctors prescribe omeprazole to children ages 1–16 based on their weight. The following table lists the recommended dosages in mg for each use of omeprazole in children based on their weight in kilograms (kg).
- 5–9 kg: 5 mg
- 10–19 kg: 10 mg
- 20 kg or greater: 20 mg
- 3–4 kg: 2.5 mg
- 5–9 kg: 5 mg
- 10–19 kg: 10 mg
- 20 kg or greater: 20 mg
- 5–9 kg: 5 mg
- 10–19 kg: 10 mg
- 20 kg or greater: 20 mg
Researchers have not conducted studies on the efficacy of omeprazole past 12 months.
Doctors suggest taking omeprazole 30–60 minutes before a meal . If the doctor recommends taking omeprazole twice daily, the person should take it before breakfast and before supper.
Share on Pinterest Headaches may be a side effect of omeprazole.
The side effects of omeprazole include:
- headache
- abdominal pain
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- flatulence in adults
Side effects that children may report are similar to those that adults report, except that they tend to complain more about fever and breathing issues, such as pharyngitis and sinus infections.
Healthcare providers should follow up with people using omeprazole if their symptoms persist throughout treatment, or if their symptoms quickly return after stopping the medication.
Some doctors will detect kidney dysfunction in people taking omeprazole. A part of the kidney called the interstitium may become inflamed, causing a condition called acute interstitial nephritis to develop. People must stop taking omeprazole if they develop this.
Some researchers have linked PPIs, including omeprazole, to Clostridium difficile diarrhea. This condition is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to hospitalization and be fatal.
Some studies report that PPIs may increase the risk of bone fractures. Healthcare providers should therefore prescribe the lowest effective dosage and limit its use to the shortest possible duration.
People taking omeprazole for long periods of time may become deficient in some vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B-12 and magnesium.
Some drugs may interact with omeprazole. People should tell their doctor which medications they are already taking.
Omeprazole may interfere with the action of some antiretroviral drugs. However, researchers have not consistently reported this effect.
Doctors should closely monitor people taking antiretroviral drugs and omeprazole together to ensure that the combination is safe. However, people should not use rilpivirine and rilpivirine-containing antiretrovirals at the same time as taking omeprazole.
People taking warfarin to prevent blood clots should use omeprazole with caution because the combination can increase their risk of bleeding. They may need more frequent blood testing to make sure that the dosage of warfarin is appropriate.
Some doctors have reported higher methotrexate levels in people taking high dose methotrexate with omeprazole. These people must provide frequent blood samples so that their doctors can detect rising levels.
Also, some researchers have suggested that omeprazole interacts with clopidogrel. Taking a high dosage of omeprazole can reduce the levels of clopidogrel in the blood, putting people at risk of blood clots.
People taking phenytoin or digoxin and omeprazole together may be at risk of toxicity. Doctors will monitor blood samples of phenytoin or digoxin closely when both drugs are required.
Some drugs need exposure to an acidic environment before the intestine can absorb them. By reducing the acidity of the stomach contents, omeprazole may interfere with the following drugs:
- mycophenolate mofetil
- iron
- certain anticancer medications
- certain antifungal medications
Existing research does not demonstrate that omeprazole is harmful during pregnancy. Studies from Sweden and Denmark showed that the chance of birth defects in women using omeprazole was similar to the usual birth defect rate in the population.
Researchers have found limited evidence to suggest that omeprazole is present in breast milk. The effects of infant exposure to omeprazole are also unclear.
The cost of omeprazole depends on the strengths. The table below provides the prices of each form and strength of 30 days of omeprazole taken once daily.
| Omeprazole generic 30 capsules | 10 mg 20 mg 40 mg |
$83.01 $67.31 $122.19 |
| Omeprazole generic 30 tablets | 20 mg | $23.39 |
| Prilosec 30 tablets | 20 mg | $25.17 |
Share on Pinterest The class of PPI medications include dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, and lansoprazole.
The PPI class of medications includes five other drugs:
- dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)
- esomeprazole (Nexium)
- lansoprazole (Prevacid)
- pantoprazole (Protonix)
- rabeprazole (Aciphex)
Other acid suppressing medications include the histamine2 receptor blockers (H2 receptor blockers). These medications also reduce stomach acid but use a different pathway than PPIs.
H2 receptor blockers typically work more quickly than PPIs, but their effects only last for 4–10 hours.
Omeprazole is an effective medication to reduce acid levels in the stomach and treat a variety of stomach related conditions. People can also use OTC omeprazole to treat frequent heartburn.
People typically tolerate omeprazole well, but there are some risks when they use it for long periods of time. Doctors should follow up with people taking PPIs to make sure the drug is working and determine when the person can stop taking the drug.
If someone needs long term treatment, doctors need to routinely monitor their vitamin B-12 and magnesium levels and suggest supplements as needed.
Last medically reviewed on July 24, 2019
- Acid Reflux / GERD
- GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology
- Pharmacy / Pharmacist
How we reviewed this article:
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Compare Prilosec OTC prices. (n.d.).
https://www.goodrx.com/prilosec-otc - Label: Nexium 24hr- esomeprazole magnesium tablet. (2018).
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=61f67858-ba2f-449b-8b30-c15cdaf49222 - Label: Prilosec- omeprazole magnesium capsule, delayed release. Prilosec- omeprazole magnesium granule, delayed release. (2016).
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a1b077e6-b070-43f2-a98e-380cc635419d - Label: Prilosec OTC- omeprazole magnesium tablet, delayed release. (2018).
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=35a79458-79f6-44d6-b74c-b4f4aaf0dde0 - Nugent, C. C., & Terrell, J. M. (2019). H2 blockers.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525994/ - Prilosec prices, coupons & savings tips. (n.d.).
https://www.goodrx.com/prilosec?dosage=40mg&form=capsule&label_override=omeprazole&quantity=30%20 - Shah, N., & Srivastava, P. (2019). Omeprazole.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539786/ - Strand, D. S., et al. (2017). 25 years of proton pump inhibitors: A comprehensive review.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5221858/
