Omeprazole
About
Omeprazole belongs to the class of drugs known as Proton pump inhibitor (PPIs), which reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes. It treats gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcer, and Zollinger Ellison syndrome (overproduction of acid due to pancreatic tumour).
Omeprazole contains omeprazole, which helps reduce stomach acid by blocking the actions of an enzyme (H+/K+ ATPase or gastric proton pump). This proton pump lies in the stomach wall cells and is responsible for releasing gastric acid secretion. Omeprazole prevents the release of stomach acid and relieves symptoms of food pipe lining inflammation (esophagitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.
Omeprazole is taken with food in a dose and duration as advised by the doctor. Your dose will depend on your condition and how you respond to the medicine. An adult taking Omeprazole might have common side effects like stomach pain, gas formation (flatulence), nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and headache. Respiratory system problems can be reported in some children (more than 1 year) using Omeprazole. These side effects are temporary and may get resolved after some time; however, if this side persists, contact the doctor.
Omeprazole should not be given to the patient suffering from Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. Omeprazole is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers but should be taken only after consulting a doctor. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problem, are allergic to Omeprazole, or will have an endoscopy in the future. Ask your doctor if you should stop taking Omeprazole a few weeks before your endoscopy as it may hide some of the problems that would be spotted during an endoscopy. Prolonged use of Omeprazole may be associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine due to loss of magnesium. Avoid using Omeprazole with St John’s Wort (plant-based antidepressant), rifampin (antibiotic) and methotrexate (anti-cancer and anti-arthritis medicine) due to the severe drug interaction.
Uses of Omeprazole
Medicinal Benefits
Omeprazole is effective at healing erosive esophagitis (inflammation of food pipe), relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, stomach ulcers. Omeprazole works by irreversibly blocking the proton pump gate (which secretes stomach acid). It can be prescribed to all age groups, including special populations like the elderly, pregnant mothers, and kidney and liver disease patients. Usually, no dosage adjustment is required for these groups. It should not be given to children less than one year of age as no clinical studies have been done.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Omeprazole
- Stomach pain
- Gas formation (flatulence)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Omeprazole should not be given to the patient suffering from Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. Omeprazole is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers but should be taken only after consulting a doctor. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problem, are allergic to Omeprazole or will have an endoscopy in the future. Ask your doctor if you should stop taking Omeprazole a few weeks before your endoscopy as it may hide some of the problems that would be spotted during an endoscopy. Prolonged use of Omeprazole may be associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine due to loss of magnesium. Avoid using Omeprazole with St John’s Wort (plant-based antidepressant), rifampin (antibiotic) and methotrexate (anti-cancer and anti-arthritis medicine) due to the severe drug interaction.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Omeprazole may interact with a blood thinner (clopidogrel, warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, antibiotic (ampicillin, rifampicin), heart medicine (digoxin) and anti-cancer drug (methotrexate). Let your doctor know if you are taking these medicines.
Drug-Food Interactions: Omeprazole interact with St John's wort plant that is used as an anti-depressant. This plant may affect the working of Omeprazole. So avoid its intake with Omeprazole.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Omeprazole should be not given in patients with C. difficile induced colitis, liver disease, bone fractures, low Vitamin B12 (anaemia), low magnesium (hypomagnesemia).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDrinking alcohol with Omeprazole may cause dehydration and elevate the level of stomach acid thereby decreasing its efficiency. So try to avoid, limit alcohol or contact doctor before intake of Omeprazole.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known whether Omeprazole affects the baby or not. So, contact a doctor before intake of Omeprazole. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
cautionOmeprazole passes into the breast milk. However, no evidence of risk has been reported. Please consult your doctor before intake of Omeprazole. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Driving
cautionIn some cases, Omeprazole may cause dizziness, sleepy, or blur vision. If you observe these symptoms do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you feel better.
Liver
cautionOmeprazole should be taken with precaution in patients with liver disease.
Kidney
cautionPatients with kidney disease should consult a doctor before taking Omeprazole.
Children
cautionOmeprazole should not be prescribed for children under 1 years of age. Omeprazole is generally prescribed from 1-12 years of children for the treatment of acid-related damage of the food pipe (erosive esophagitis).
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid intake of acid or heartburn triggering foods or drinks like onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes and high-fat and spicy foods.
- Before going to sleep try to raise your bedhead so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. Do not use piles of pillows, instead, one raised block is fine. This will not allow the stomach acid to backflow through your food pipe.
- Avoid taking alcohol and smoking cigarette. Alcohol can raise the level of production of stomach acid leading to heartburn and acid reflux. On the other hand, nicotine smoking damages the valve (sphincter) which prevents backflow of the stomach acid back into the food pipe.
- Include high fibre containing foods, berries, cherries, leafy green veggies (kale, spinach) and black peppers in your meal. These foods are full of antioxidant, calcium and vitamin B 12 that can help cope with the long term effects of the medicine. Fermented dairy products like miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi contain probiotics which help in the prevention of excess stomach acid production. Cranberry juice can be beneficial in the peptic ulcer and H Pyroli infection.
- Avoid regular sitting continuously, as it can increase stomach acid production. Try to take a break of 5 minutes in 1 hour by brisk walking or stretching.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Normally a thick layer of mucous protects the stomach against its own acid secretion. But, in the long run, it gets eroded by excessive stomach acid production leading to complications like GERD, peptic ulcer, and Zollinger Ellison syndrome. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe that causes heartburn. On the other hand, a peptic ulcer is a painful condition followed by the development of sores or ulcers in the stomach lining or duodenum (first part of the small intestine) (the duodenum). Zollinger Ellison syndrome is a rare condition in which a gastrin-secreting pancreas tumour causes excessive acid production leading to peptic ulcers.
FAQs
Omeprazole is a type of medicine called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Proton pumps are enzymes in your stomach lining that help it make acid to digest food. Omeprazole prevents the proton pump from working properly. This reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes, relieving symptoms of food pipe lining inflammation (esophagitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.
Prolonged intake of Omeprazole may weaken your bone and lower haemoglobin level. Your doctor may prescribe you Vitamin B-12 for enhancing haemoglobin and calcium/vitamin D/magnesium supplements for bone health.
Prolonged intake of Omeprazole may lead to atrophic gastritis (inflammation of stomach cells), Vitamin B12 deficiency and weakening of bones or osteoporosis (loss of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D). Your doctor may prescribe calcium, vitamin D or haemoglobin enhancing medications to cope with long term side effects.
No. Omeprazole is not prescribed for stomach cancer. Do not take Omeprazole until your doctor has prescribed you. Omeprazole is only indicated for the treatment of hyperacidity, acid reflux symptoms (GERD), heartburn and Zollinger Ellison syndrome.
No. Gas and acidity are two different common discomforts. Acidity is caused when improper functioning of the valve (sphincter) is located at the junction of the stomach and food pipe. As a result stomach acid backflows and enters the upper part of the food pipe causing heartburn. On the other hand, gas is the result of the digestion of the food and drinks eliminating gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, methane, etc. from the body.
Yes. Omeprazole can alter certain medical tests like neuroendocrine tumours (secretin stimulation test), and urine screening tests for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). So before undergoing such diagnostics test contact your doctor.
No. Omeprazole prevents excess production of stomach acid, causing acid reflux and heartburn. If blood is coming in your stool or mucous, immediately contact the doctor.
