Prilosec (Omeprazole)

PRILOSEC is a medication that belongs to a group called proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that are used to decrease the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat ulcers, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and promotes healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).

It works by blocking acid production in the stomach. This medicine may be used in combination with antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin, clarithromycin) to treat certain types of ulcers. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

PRILOSEC is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Directions

Some conditions are treated with a combination of PRILOSEC and antibiotics. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the patient instructions provided with the medication. Do not change your doses of medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

Ingredients

Active Ingredient: Omeprazole

Cautions

Patients should not use PRILOSEC if they are allergic to omeprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole (Albenza), or mebendazole (Vermox). Ask a doctor if it is safe for you to take PRILOSEC if you have liver disease or heart disease, or low levels of magnesium in your blood.

Do not use PRILOSEC without the advice of a doctor if you have any of the following:

• 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
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach pain

Taking PRILOSEC may increase your risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. This effect has occurred mostly in people who have taken the medication long term or at high doses, and in those who are age 50 and older. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia.

It is also unknown whether PRILOSEC will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. PRILOSEC can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking this medication.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of PRILOSEC are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches, rash and dizziness. Nervousness, abnormal heartbeat, muscle pain, weakness, leg cramps, and water retention occur infrequently.

Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms of low magnesium:

• dizziness, confusion
• fast or uneven heart rate
• jerking muscle movements
• feeling jittery
• muscle cramps, muscle weakness or limp feeling
• cough or choking feeling
• seizure (convulsions)

Inform with your doctor immediately if you experience unusual stomach pain. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience mental or mood changes (such as depression or agitation), chest pain, or fast or irregular heartbeat. Allergic reactions to this medicine are unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

High doses and long-term use (1 year or longer) may increase the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine. Therefore, it is important to use the lowest doses and shortest duration of treatment necessary for the condition being treated.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about additional side effects that you may experience.