Omeprazole Side Effects

Serious side effects of Omeprazole

• Contact your doctor immediately if you exhibit any symptoms of having low magnesium, such as dizziness, confusion, arrhythmia (irregular heart beat), jittery feelings, watery or bloody diarrhea, muscle weakness/cramps or limp, choking feeling, or seizures.
• Signs of an allergic reaction to omeprazole include hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing.
• Bone fractures in the hip, spine, or wrist may occur in patients who use omeprazole for an extended period of time.

Common Side Effects of Omeprazole

• Patients who use omeprazole may commonly include nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea, stomach pain, and gas, as well as headache, or cold-like symptoms, such as fever, stuffy nose, sore throat, and sneezing.

Warnings & Recalls for Omeprazole

General Omeprazole Warnings

• Do not take over the counter omeprazole for immediate heartburn relief. To can take up to four days to feel the maximum benefit of the medication.
• Let you doctor know if you are of Asian heritage, have had low blood magnesium levels, or have liver disease.
• If you are older than 50 years old, you may be at a  higher risk of developing severe diarrhea, or wrist, hip, and spine fractures.
• Do not take over the counter omeprazole without talking to a doctor if you have
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Bloody or black stool
  • Bloody vomit or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • Heartburn that has persisted for more than 3 months
  • Frequent pain in the chest
  • Heartburn that occurs with wheezing
  • Sudden weight loss

Omeprazole Drug Interactions

Omeprazole Treatment and Use

Omeprazole | Prilosec is a generic proton pump inhibitor used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Omeprazole treats the symptoms of GERD, allows healing of the esophagus, and prevents future damage. It can also be used to treat ulcers, prevent the return of ulcers, heart burn, and erosive esophagitis. Over the counter omeprazole is commonly used as a treatment for frequent heartburn.

How does Omeprazole work?

Omeprazole reduces the acid produced within the stomach by inhibiting the action of enzymes found on the inner walls of the stomach. These enzymes can cause an overproduction of stomach acid that can result in heart burn.

Omeprazole Dosage Information

Omeprazole can be taken as a delayed-release capsule or as granules to be taken with liquid. Doses should be taken between once and three times a day, depending on the treatment, and at least an hour before eating.

The capsules are not to be chewed, crushed, or mixed with food. The pill has a coating designed to protect your stomach. Damaging the pill will compromise the coating. If you have trouble swallowing the pill, it can be mixed with a spoonful of applesauce and consumed right away.

The powder form needs to be mixed with water before consumption. The 2.5 mg packets should be mixed with one teaspoon of water. The 10 mg packets should be mixed with one tablespoon of water. After mixing, let the mixture sit for 3 minutes to allow it to thicken before stirring again. Drink immediately.

Even if your symptoms improve before your treatment is over, omeprazole should be taken for the full prescribed treatment.

Over the counter omeprazole should only be taken once a day for no more than 14 days before breakfast.

Other Names for Omeprazole

• Prilosec


• Omesec


• Zegerid (Omeprazole and Sodium Bicarbonate)


• Zegerid with Magnesium Hydroxide (Magnesium Hydroxide, Omeprazole, and Sodium Bicarbonate)

• Omeprazole


• Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate

Lawsuits & Legal Information for Omeprazole