Omeprazole 20 mg Capsule

Proton-pump inhibitor that lowers stomach acid:

• Heartburn and acid reflux (GERD), reflux oesophagitis
• Duodenal and gastric ulcers
• H. pylori eradication (with antibiotics)
• Prevention and treatment of NSAID-related ulcers
• Zollinger–Ellison syndrome
• Injection: when oral use is not possible; upper GI bleeding (after endoscopy)

Adults:

• GERD / heartburn: 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks (up to 40 mg in severe oesophagitis); maintenance 10–20 mg daily.
• Duodenal ulcer: 20 mg once daily for 2–4 weeks; gastric ulcer 20–40 mg daily for 4–8 weeks.
• H. pylori: 20 mg twice daily with two antibiotics for 7–14 days.
• NSAID ulcer prevention: 20 mg once daily.

Children (over 1 year): 10–20 mg once daily by weight, as prescribed.

IV: 40 mg once daily.

• Take before a meal (usually breakfast); swallow whole. Capsules can be opened and the pellets mixed with yoghurt or juice (do not chew).

• Allergy to omeprazole or other PPIs
• Use with nelfinavir

Common: headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation, wind, nausea, vomiting, benign stomach polyps.

Less common: dizziness, sleep problems, rash, itching, raised liver enzymes, ankle swelling.

Long-term use: low magnesium, vitamin B12 deficiency, fractures, gut infections.

Rare: severe skin reactions, kidney inflammation, low sodium, blood disorders.

• See a doctor before use if you have weight loss, trouble swallowing, vomiting blood or black stools.
• Use the lowest effective dose; review long-term need regularly.
• May affect some laboratory tests (chromogranin A) — stop 5 days before.

Widely used in pregnancy without evidence of harm; can be used when needed. Passes into breast milk in small amounts — generally considered compatible.

• Clopidogrel (reduced antiplatelet effect — another PPI may be preferred)
• Ketoconazole, itraconazole, atazanavir, iron, erlotinib (absorption reduced)
• Diazepam, phenytoin, warfarin, cilostazol, tacrolimus, methotrexate (levels may rise)
• St John's wort, rifampicin (reduce omeprazole levels)

Drowsiness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, nausea, dry mouth, headache — usually mild. Treat symptoms.

Store below 30°C in a dry place, in the original container.