Generic Name: OMEPRAZOLE (o-MEP-ra-zole)
Prilosec is used to treat various acid-related stomach and esophagus problems by blocking the production of acid in the stomach.

Do not stop taking omeprazole even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may improve before the condition is fully treated.

Uses
Prilosec is prescribed for the short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks) of stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer (near the exit from the stomach), and erosive esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus), and for the treatment of heartburn and other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (backflow of acid stomach contents into the canal leading to the stomach). It is also used to maintain healing of erosive esophagitis and for the long-term treatment of conditions in which too much stomach acid is secreted, including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, multiple endocrine adenomas (benign tumors), and systemic mastocytosis (cancerous cells). Combined with the antibiotic clarithromycin (Biaxin, and sometimes with the antibiotic amoxicillin as well), Prilosec is also used to cure patients whose ulcers are caused by infection with the germ H. pylori.

How to take
Prilosec works best when taken before meals. Prilosec can be taken with an antacid. The capsule should be swallowed whole. Prilosec should not be opened, chewed, or crushed. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsules you can empty the contents of the Prilosec capsule onto a tablespoonful of applesauce, mix, and swallow with a glass of cool water. Use cool, soft applesauce and do not chew or crush the pellets. Use the mixture immediately and do not store it for future use. Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine while taking this drug. It may take several days for Prilosec to begin relieving stomach pain. Be sure to continue taking the drug exactly as prescribed even if it seems to have no effect.

Storage
Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container, away from light and moisture

Possible side effects
More common side effects may include abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, nausea, and vomiting. When taken with amoxicillin and Biaxin, side effects also may include diarrhea, headache, taste alteration

Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of prilosec, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Over Dose
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an omeprazole overdose include drowsiness, seizures, shortness of breath, and decreased body temperature.

Precautions
The effects of Prilosec during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Avoid combined therapy with Biaxin unless there is no alternative. Prilosec (and Biaxin) may appear in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment with this medication is finished.

Drug Interactions
If Prilosec is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Prilosec with the following:

» Iron ( eg. Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, others )
» Digoxin ( eg. Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps )
» Alprazolam ( Xanax )
» Lorazepam ( Ativan )
» Temazepam ( Restoril )
» Clorazepate ( Tranxene )
» Chlordiazepoxide ( Librium )
» Theophylline ( eg. Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others )
» Itraconazole ( Sporanox )
» Cyclosporine ( eg. Sandimmune, Neoral )
» Diazepam ( Valium )
» Disulfiram ( Antabuse )
» Ketoconazole ( Nizoral )
» Phenytoin ( Dilantin )
» Warfarin ( Coumadin )
» Ampicillin ( eg. Omnipen, Principen )
» Ampicillin-containing drugs ( Unasyn ) You may not be able to take Prilosec, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

There's no problem, however, with combining antacids and Prilosec. No unwanted interaction will result.

There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activities while taking Prilosec.

Important Notes for Prilosec
Prilosec's healing effect can mask the signs of stomach cancer. Your doctor should be careful to rule out this possibility.

Before Using
Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of liver disease. You may not be able to take omeprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring. Omeprazole is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether omeprazole will harm an unborn baby. Do not take omeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether omeprazole passes into breast milk. Do not take omeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.