Brand Name

Prilosec {Procter and Gamble/AstraZeneca}

Generic Name

omeprazole, pronounced oh MEP ra zol

Also Known As

Losec

 

What is Prilosec?

Prilosec is a medication that can help patients as a short term treatment for an active duodenal ulcer. Prilosec is also used along with antibiotics such as clarithromycin and amoxicillin for the treatment of patients with H. pylori infection and duodenal ulcer disease.

Adult patients with an active benign gastric ulcer, or who have a hypersecretory conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome may also be prescribed Prilosec.

Prilosec is also approved to treat adult and pediatric patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Erosive Esophagitis.

Prilosec may also be used for conditions not stated in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts About Prilosec

Prilosec is part of a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs. Prilosec can help you by decreasing the amount of acid produced in your stomach.

Your doctor may have prescribed Prilosec to help treat your symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is also known as GERD, or other conditions caused by excess stomach acid, like erosive esophagitis.

Prilosec may also be given alongside antibiotics to treat gastric ulcers caused by an infection with helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori.

Prilosec should not be used for an immediate relief of your heartburn symptoms.

Heartburn may be confused with initial symptoms of a heart attack. You should seek emergency medical assistance if you experience chest pain or a heavy feeling, nausea, sweating, pain spreading to your arm or shoulder, or a general feeling of being ill while taking Prilosec.

If you take a proton pump inhibitor like Prilosec you may have an increased risk of bone fractures in your hips, wrists, or spine. This effect has occurred in people who have either taken this medication for a long time and at high doses, or who are older than age 50. It is not known if Prilosec is the cause of this increased risk of fractures. You should tell your doctor before you take Prilosec if you have osteopenia, which is low bone mineral density, or osteoporosis.

There are certain conditions which are treated with both antibiotics and Prilosec. You should use all of the medications as directed by your doctor, being sure to read patient instructions provided with each medication prescribed for you. It is important for you to take all of your medications for the prescribed length of time, and you should not change your dosing schedule without your doctor’s advice.

Prilosec is in FDA Category C. We do not know if Prilosec can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant if you plan to take Prilosec. Because Prilosec can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby you should not breast-feed while you are taking Prilosec.

You should not give Prilosec to a child younger than 1 year of age without your doctor’s consent.

 

Before You Take Prilosec

If you are allergic to omeprazole or to any component of the tablet.

You should tell your doctor if you have heart disease before taking Prilosec.

Low levels of magnesium in your blood or liver disease may be reasons for you not to take Prilosec. Tell your doctor if you have either of these conditions.

You should not take Prilosec OTC (over the counter) without the advice of your doctor if you have ever had any of the following conditions:

• black or bloody stools
• chest pain that is frequent
• heartburn which lasts longer than 3 months
• heartburn with wheezing
• nausea
• pain or difficulty swallowing
• stomach pain
• unexplained weight loss
• vomit which looks coffee grounds or is bloody

Prilosec may cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is bloody or watery immediately stop taking Prilosec and call your doctor. Do not take an anti-diarrhea medication without consulting with your doctor first.

Follow your doctor’s instructions exactly regarding any activity, beverages, or food restrictions while you are taking Prilosec. Your doctor will explain how you should take Prilosec before you begin treatment with this medication.

Prilosec may cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell your doctor if you anticipate taking certain medical tests before starting treatment with Prilosec.

 

Prilosec Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• ampicillin (Principen, Unasyn)
• antifungal medications like ketoconazole (Nizoral) or voriconazole (Vfend)
• atazanavir (Reyataz)
• cilostazol (Pletal)
• clopidogrel (Plavix)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• diazepam (Valium)
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)
• diuretics or water pills
• iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron,others)
• nelfinavir (Viracept)
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate)
• saquinavir (Invirase)
• warfarin

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Prilosec. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Prilosec

You should take Prilosec for the entire length of time your doctor has prescribed you to take it, even if your symptoms improve before you have finished your prescription. Sometimes your symptoms may improve but your condition has not yet been fully treated. You should call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if you experience a worsening of your symptoms while taking this medicine.

You should take each dose of Prilosec before eating, preferably in the morning before you eat breakfast.

Prilosec OTC, or over-the-counter, should be taken only one time every 24 hours, for 14 days. You may not notice an improvement in your symptoms for up to 4 full days while taking Prilosec. Do not stop taking this medication and do not take more than one tablet every 24 hours.

You should allow at least 4 months to pass before you start another 14-day treatment with Prilosec OTC. Tell your doctor if you experience symptoms before the 4 month time period has passed, and if you feel you need additional treatment.

You may also take the Prilosec delayed-release capsule and open it to sprinkle the medication into a spoonful of applesauce or pudding to make it easier for you to swallow. You must swallow this mixture immediately, without chewing it. Do not save any unused mixture for later use, and be sure to discard the empty capsule.

You may also take Prilosec Delayed -Release Oral Suspension by dissolving it in water or using a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube. To do this you must use 1 teaspoon of water for the 2.5-mg packet, or 1 Tablespoon of water for the 10-mg packet. After letting the mixture stand for 2 to 3 minutes, stir it and drink it right away. To be sure that you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, and swirl gently and drink immediately. Do not save leftover liquid for a later dose. You may also take this medication using an NG tube, which your pharmacist can provide. You must use only a catheter-tipped syringe. You will need to shake the syringe well, and then attach it to the NG tube and push the plunger down to empty the syringe into the tube. You should refill the syringe with water and flush the tube to wash the contents down. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you to learn how to use the tube if you are unsure of how to use it.

You should not chew, crush or break the Prilosec tablet.

Store Prilosec at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Prilosec you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

 

Prilosec Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Prilosec and seek emergency medical help immediately. These symptoms may indicate low magnesium levels in your body:

• confusion
• coughing or choking feeling
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody
• dizziness
• fast heart rate
• feeling jittery
• jerking muscle movements
• muscle cramps or weakness
• seizure activity

You should also seek help right away if you experience an allergic reaction to Prilosec such as difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue.

Less serious side effects may include:

• cold symptoms such as sneezing, a sore throat or stuffy nose
• diarrhea
• fever
• gas
• headache
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Prilosec. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Prilosec and Prilosec OTC Description and Dosing

In the United States Prilosec is available in the following dosages:

Prilosec Delayed-Release Capsules in 10 milligram strength. These are opaque, hard gelatin, apricot and amethyst colored capsules, which are coded with 606 on the cap and Prilosec 10 on the body.

Prilosec Delayed-Release Capsules in 20 milligram strength. These are opaque, hard gelatin, amethyst colored capsules, which are coded with 742 on the cap and Prilosec 20 on the body.

Prilosec Delayed-Release Capsules in 40 milligram strength. These are opaque, hard gelatin, apricot and amethyst colored capsules, which are coded with 743 on the cap and Prilosec 40 on the body.

Prilosec For Delayed-Release Oral Suspension is available in 2.5 milligrams or 10 milligram strengths. It is supplied as a unit dose packet containing a fine yellow powder, which consist of white to brownish omeprazole granules and pale yellow inactive granules.

Prilosec OTC is available as omeprazole magnesium delayed release tablet 20.6mg (equivalent to 20mg omeprazole)

Dosing of Prilosec is based on individual needs. Your doctor will determine the correct dose for your age, situation and state of health.

All people taking Prilosec should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you think you may have overdosed on Prilosec seek emergency medical help immediately.

Prilosec OTC is indicated for adults 18 years and older. It is taken once every 24 hours with or without food daily for 14 days. Do not use for greater than 14 days unless directed by your doctor. Do not crush/chew the tablets. Do not use more often than 14 days every 4 months unless directed by a doctor.

 

Ingredients in Prilosec and Prilosec OTC

Prilosec contains the main ingredient omeprazole magnesium. Delayed release capsules, of all strengths also contain cellulose, disodium hydrogen phosphate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, lactose, mannitol, sodium lauryl sulfate and other ingredients. The capsule shells have the following inactive ingredients: gelatin-NF, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red #40, D&C Red #28, titanium dioxide, synthetic black iron oxide, isopropanol, butyl alcohol, FD&C Blue #2, D&C Red #7 Calcium Lake, and D&C Yellow #10. The other inactive ingredients in Prilosec Oral Suspension are glyceryl monostearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer C, polysorbate, sugar spheres, talc, and triethyl citrate, and also inactive granules. The inactive granules are composed of the following ingredients: citric acid, crospovidone, dextrose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, iron oxide and xantham gum.

Prilosec OTC inactive ingredients: glyceryl monostearate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, iron oxide, magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, paraffin, polyethylene glycol 6000, polysorbate 80, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium stearyl fumarate, starch, sucrose, talc, titanium dioxide, triethyl citrate

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