Generic Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors i.e. PPI, which block the production of acid by the stomach. Other drugs in the same class include lansoprazole i.e. Prevacid, rabeprazole i.e. Aciphex, pantoprazole i.e. Protonix and esomeprazole i.e. Nexium. Proton pump inhibitors are used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers gastroesophageal reflux disease i.e. GERD and the Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome which are all caused by stomach acid.

Generic Omeprazole i.e. Prilosec like other proton-pump inhibitors blocks the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. By blocking the enzyme the production of acid is decreased and this allows the stomach and esophagus to heal. Omeprazole OTC has been approved for sale without a prescription.

However, before taking Omeprazole i.e. Prilosec medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Prilosec medication. However, Prilosec may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

For ulcers GERD and eradication of H. pylori, the recommended dose for adults is 20-40 mg daily. Ulcer healing usually occurs within 4-8 weeks. H. pylori infections are treated for 10-28 days. Omeprazole OTC has been approved for more severe heartburn for up to two weeks.

For the management of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome, the starting dose for adults is 60 mg daily and the dose is adjusted based on either the response of symptoms or the actual measurement of acid production. Doses greater than 80 mg should be divided. Doses up to 120 mg three times a day have been used in the treatment of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome.

For maximal efficacy, Omeprazole tablets should be taken before meals swallowed whole and should not be crushed chewed or opened.

Continue to take Omeprazole even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Omeprazole without talking to your doctor.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

However, Omeprazole like other PPIs is well-tolerated. The most common side effects are vomiting, headaches, rashes, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness. Leg cramps, muscle pain, weakness, nervousness, abnormal heartbeat, and water retention occur infrequently.

Each dose of omeprazole powder for oral suspension contains 460 mg of sodium and this should be taken into consideration in patients who need a sodium restricted diet.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.

Omeprazole potentially can increase the concentrations in blood of diazepam Valium warfarin Coumadin and phenytoin Dilantin by decreasing the elimination of these drugs by the liver.

The absorption of certain drugs may be affected by stomach acidity and as a result omeprazole and other PPIs that reduce stomach acid also reduce the absorption and concentration in blood of ketoconazole Nizoral and increase the absorption and concentration in blood of digoxin Lanoxin. This may lead to reduced effectiveness of ketoconazole or increased digoxin toxicity respectively.

Moreover, Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines, some vaccinations etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Prilosec medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them.

Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own. In short discuss your complete medical history with your doctor, before taking the medicine.
Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are using Prilosec medication.

Carry with you at all times an ID card mentioning your name, the medicine you are taking, the dosage, the name of the person and your health care professional they should call in case of an emergency. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory and keep regular checks on your blood pressure to determine your response to Omeprazole.

Also avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages whilst on a course with this medication.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole medication dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Generic Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole medication is used to treat acid-induced inflammation and ulcers of the stomach and duodenum gastroesophageal reflux disease i.e. GERD and Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome. It also is used in combination with antibiotics for eradicating H. pylori infection of the stomach.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole medication may be prescribed for other uses also and hence ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole medication.

Store generic Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole, at room temperature in between 15-30°C and 59-86°F in a cool and dry place. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Prilosec medication in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, asthma, heart attack, serious injury/infection or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or are a tobacco smoker etc.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Prilosec medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Prilosec i.e. Omeprazole medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Prilosec medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Prilosec medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Also, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course to achieve good results.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Prilosec.