Omeprazole Capsules

Omeprazole is used to treat the following conditions:

♥ GORD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease). This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the tube which connects your throat to your stomach causing pain, inflammation and heartburn.

♥ ulcers in the upper part of the intestine or stomach.

♥ ulcers which are infected with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. If you have this condition, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal

♥ ulcers caused by medicines called NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Omeprazole can also be used to stop ulcers from forming if you are taking NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen etc.

♥ too much acid in the stomach caused by a growth in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

♥  if you are allergic to omeprazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine

♥  if you are allergic to medicines containing other proton pump inhibitors (e.g. pantoprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole)

♥  if you are taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used for HIV infection).

Warnings and precautions

Omeprazole may hide the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if any of the following happen to you before you start taking omeprazole or while you are taking it, talk to your doctor straight away:

1. you lose a lot of weight for no reason and have problems swallowing
2. you get stomach pain or indigestion
3. you begin to vomit food or blood
4. you pass black stools
5. you experience severe or persistent diarrhoea, as omeprazole has been associated with a small increase in infectious diarrhoea
6. you have severe liver problems
7. if you have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with a medicine similar to Omeprazole that reduces stomach acid
8. you are due to have a specific blood test (Chromogranin A).

You should report any new and exceptional symptoms and circumstances whenever you see your doctor.

Taking a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole, especially over a period of more than one year, may slightly increase your risk of fracture in the hip, wrist or spine. Tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (which can increase the risk of osteoporosis).

If you get a rash on your skin, especially in areas exposed to the sun tell your doctor as soon as you can, as you may need to stop your treatment with omeprazole. Remember to also mention any other ill-effects like pain in your joints.

Other medicines and Omeprazole

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription. This is because Omeprazole can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Omeprazole.

Do not take Omeprazole if you are taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used to treat HIV infection).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, or voriconazole (used to treat infections caused by a fungus)
• digoxin (used to treat heart problems)
• diazepam (used to treat anxiety, relax muscles or in epilepsy)
• phenytoin (used in epilepsy). If you are taking phenytoin, your doctor will need to monitor you when you start or stop taking Omeprazole
• medicines that are used to thin your blood, such as warfarin or other vitamin K blockers. Your doctor may need to monitor you when you start or stop taking Omeprazole
• rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)
• atazanavir (used to treat HIV infection)
• tacrolimus (in cases of organ transplantation)
• St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) (used to treat mild depression)
• cilostazol (used to treat intermittent claudication)
• saquinavir (used to treat HIV infection)
• clopidogrel (used to prevent blood clots (thrombi)
• erlotinib (used to treat cancer)
• methotrexate (a chemotherapy medicine used in high doses to treat cancer) – if you are taking a high dose of methotrexate, your doctor may temporarily stop your Omeprazole treatment.

If your doctor has prescribed the antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin as well as Omeprazole to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, it is very important that you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Omeprazole is excreted in breast milk but is not likely to influence the child when therapeutic doses are used. Your doctor will decide whether you can take Omeprazole if you are breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

Omeprazole is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. Side effects such as dizziness and visual disturbances may occur. If affected, you should not drive or operate machinery.

Omeprazole contains sucrose and sodium

Omeprazole contains sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

Taking this medicine

• It is recommended that you take your capsules in the morning.
• You can take your capsules with food or on an empty stomach.
• Swallow your capsules whole with half a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the capsules. This is because the capsules contain coated pellets which stop the medicine from being broken down by the acid in your stomach. It is important not to damage the pellets.

What to do if you or your child have trouble swallowing the capsules

• If you or your child have trouble swallowing the capsules:
  
  • open the capsules and swallow the contents directly with half a glass of water or put the contents into a glass of still (non-fizzy) water, any acidic fruit juice (e.g. apple, orange or pineapple) or apple sauce
  • always stir the mixture just before drinking it (the mixture will not be clear). Then drink the mixture straight away or within 30 minutes
  • to make sure that you have drunk all of the medicine, rinse the glass very well with half a glass of water and drink it. Do not use milk or carbonated water. The solid pieces contain the medicine – do not chew or crush them.

If you take more omeprazole than you should

If you take more Omeprazole than prescribed by your doctor, talk to your doctor or pharmacist straight away.

If you forget to take omeprazole

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Omeprazole

Do not stop taking Omeprazole without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

If you notice any of the following rare but serious side effects, stop taking Omeprazole and contact a doctor immediately:

• sudden wheezing, swelling of your lips, tongue and throat or body, rash, fainting or difficulties in swallowing (severe allergic reaction)
• reddening of the skin with blisters or peeling. There may also be severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. This could be ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome’ or ‘toxic epidermal necrolysis’
• yellow skin, dark urine and tiredness which can be symptoms of liver problems