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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.
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