Omeprazole is a medicine used to treat illness and conditions in which too much acid is produced by the stomach. The medicine works by reducing the amount of acid in the stomach because it is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Omeprazole: Before Taking

Certain medications cannot be taken if the patient is suffering from a pre-existing condition. They must be taken after all the necessary precautions have been noted. This is why you must tell the following to your physician before starting to take omeprazole.

• ŸYou are suffering from diarrhea, osteoporosis, seizures or hypomagnesaemia.
• You have an allergic reaction to omeprazole or any other similar medicine.
• ŸYou are taking a non prescription medicine like a herbal or a complementary medicine.
• ŸYour liver is not fully healthy.
• ŸYou are breast-feeding your baby or looking to have a baby or are pregnant.
• ŸYou are sick or losing blood or weight, or have difficulty in swallowing food.

Omeprazole: When to Take It

There are many conditions that you need to take omeprazole. Usually, it is used

• ŸTo treat GERD. GERD is the gastroesophageal reflux disease. In this disorder, acid produced in the stomach comes up into the esophagus. Other disorders in which omeprazole is taken include erosive esophagitis and duodenal and gastric ulcers.
• ŸTo treat Zollinger-Ellison, a condition in which body produces too much acid in the stomach.
• ŸTo treat H. pylori bacteria caused infections, which can result in ulcers in the stomach. These ulcers are also treated using omeprazole along with antibiotics like clarithromycin or amoxicillin.
• ŸFor patients who are significantly ill and bleeding in their upper gastrointestinal tract.
• ŸTo treat dyspepsia, a disease that causes belching, indigestion and heart burn.

There are Omeprazole over the counter and on prescription.

Omeprazole: How to Take It

• ŸIf you have bought omeprazole over the counter, you would have to follow the instructions given on the packet of the medicine. The medicine is supposed to be taken mostly before a meal and it is best to have it in the morning before breakfast. Though the medicine can be had after consuming food, it is recommended to take omeprazole at the minimum one hour before eating anything. If the medicine is being administered to someone who is being given food using a tube, the feeding has to be stopped at least 3 hours before the medicine or one hour after a powdered dose of the medicine. It is best to not use the medicine continuously for more than four weeks. In case of any confusion, ask your doctor for more information.
• ŸIf you are having omeprazole on prescription, you must follow all the instructions given by your physician. Mostly doctors prescribe one dose of the medicine a day and not more than that. In case it is given for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome or for ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria, the prescribed dose can be two omeprazole capsules 20 mg per day. Knowing your condition, your doctor will advise the dose that is best for you. He will also direct you on omeprazole about the time to take it and the precautions to take while having the medicine.

Omeprazole: Drug Interactions

Combinations of certain medicines do not go well and using them together can be dangerous for health. Your physician will make sure that you do not have such combination of omeprazole and rilpivirine.

In some cases, interaction of medicines is not recommended. However, if your doctor has prescribed you both such medicines, he would reduce the dose of one of the medicines to make sure they do not interact much. These medicines include:

Certain medicines if used together with omeprazole can enhance the risk of having some side effects. However, in some conditions, combination of these drugs would be best for your treatment. In such scenarios, your physician would alter dose of one or both of the medicines to ensure less interaction. Such medicines are the following:

Omeprazole: Side Effects

The most common adverse effects of omeprazole include:

• ŸHigh fever
• ŸSymptoms of catching a cold like a sore throat or a runny nose
• ŸGas
• ŸFrequent vomiting
• ŸDiarrhea

You should immediately get in touch with the doctor in the following conditions:

• ŸBlood in the stool
• ŸLow levels of magnesium (it may show up in the form of nausea, fast heart rate, weak muscles, etc.)

You should also talk to your doctor if you have an allergic reaction to omeprazole. The signs include severe swelling of the tongue, lips or face.