Omeprazole 20mg 14s

What is Omeprazole used for​​​?

Omeprazole is commonly used to treat various conditions of the gastrointestinal (stomach and intestines) tract including: 

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (a condition where the acid from the stomach goes back up the food tube and throat, causing pain and a burning sensation known as heartburn).
• Ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract (treatment and prevention).
• It can also be prescribed by your doctor to alleviate stomach discomfort while taking certain medications with known gastric side effects.

Dosage and how to use​

• Follow the instructions on your medication label and use this medication as prescribed by your doctor. 
• It can be prescribed regularly or on an as-needed basis depending on the severity of your condition. 
• Take this medication 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Capsules should be swallowed whole with water.
• Contents of the capsule should not be chewed or crushed. 
• If you have swallowing difficulties, the capsule can be opened and the contents swallowed or suspended in a slightly acidic fluid e.g. fruit juice. The suspension should then be taken within 30 minutes. Alternatively you can open the capsule and swallow the contents.

What to do if I missed a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of Omeprazole?

Omeprazole is generally well tolerated. Some common but mild side effects of omeprazole may include headaches, gastrointestinal side effects (e.g. abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting and wind). If any of these are persistent please consult your healthcare professional.

What precautions should I take?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies. 
• If symptoms (including abdominal pain) persist despite taking this medicine or you develop bloody stool (including blackened stool) or vomit.
• This medication may hide the symptoms of other diseases. Inform your healthcare professional if you experience weight loss for no reason or are vomiting food or blood.
• This medication may cause the level of magnesium in your body to decrease if you use it for long duration. Inform your healthcare professional if you experience muscle cramps, dizziness or shaking.
• This medication may increase your risk of diarrhoea caused by a type of bacteria called Clostridium difficile. Inform your healthcare professional if you have watery or bloody stools that do not stop after a few days.
• This medication may increase your risk of bone fractures if you have osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become weak or fragile.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Omeprazole?

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies. This includes: 

• Medicines which may be used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Certain blood thinners (e.g. warfarin, clopidogrel).
• Certain anti-fungal medicines (e.g. ketoconazole).
• Certain drugs to treat mood (e.g. citalopram, imipramine and clomipramine).
• Certain drugs to treat seizures (e.g. phenytoin) .
• Other medicines such as digoxin, cyclosporin, methotrexate and iron salts.

Handling and storage

• ​Keep your medicines in the original container or packaging, tightly closed or sealed in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight.
• Keep the medicine out of reach of children.
• Throw away all expired medicines.

The above information answers some common questions about this medicine. It does not contain all the available information. It also does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

References

https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medications/omeprazole

https://www.singhealth.com.sg/patient-care/medicine/omeprazole