General Information on Prilosec
Prilosec is indicated for the treatment of ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and other medical conditions that are caused by excess stomach acid. The generic name of this drug is Omeprazole. It comes under a category of drugs referred as Proton Pump Inhibitors, or PPI.
Like other PPIs, Omeprazole works by inhibiting the production of stomach acid. This drug is meant for oral administration only. It is available in form of capsules, tablets, and powder. The oral capsules are available in strengths, Prilosec 10mg, 20mg, and 40mg. The tablets are available as Prilosec 20mg. In the powdered form, the drug is available in the following two strengths, Prilosec 20mg and 40mg.
The Prilosec capsules contain the following inactive ingredients: hypromellose, sodium lauryl sulfate, cellulose, mannitol, hydroxypropyl cellulose, disodium hydrogen phosphate, lactose.
Side effects of Prilosec
You should not buy Prilosec if:
- You are hypersensitive to Omeprazole
- You are hypersensitive to other benzimidazole medications like mebendazole or albendazole
Before you buy Prilosec, you should inform your doctor if you have any of the following:
- Stomach pain
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools
- Trouble swallowing
- Chest pain
- Nausea
- Vomitting
- Continuous heartburn
Some of the common, and mild, side effects of this drug are:
- Stomach ache, gas, fever, headache
- Diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea
- Sore throat, sneezing, stuffy nose, or other cold symptoms
You should consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Seizure
- Confusion, dizziness
- Limp feeling, cramps in the muscles, or muscle weakness
- Choking feeling
- Uneven heart rate
- Uncontrolled muscle movements
Prilosec should be used during pregnancy only if the expected benefit to the mother is more than any possible risk to the fetus. Pregnant women should always consult their doctor before using this drug.
It is not known if Prilosec presents any danger to the health of a breastfeeding child. Breastfeeding mothers should use this drug only if its use has been approved by their doctor.
Dosage of Prilosec
The recommended dosage for treating active duodenal ulcer is Prilosec 20mg daily. The usual treatment period is 4 weeks. However, if your ulcer does not heal, your doctor may recommend that you take Prilosec for another 4 weeks.
The recommended dosage for treating gastric ulcer is Prilosec 40mg daily. The recommended treatment period range is 4-8 weeks.
The recommended dosage for treating GERD is Prilosec 40mg daily. The recommended treatment period range is 4-8 weeks.
Your actual dosage, however, may be different from the recommended dosage. Your doctor will prescribe you the correct dosage depending on the severity of your condition and your tolerance and response to Prilosec. You should take Prilosec exactly as prescribed to you by your doctor.
Interactions
Some drugs should not be taken in combination with Prilosec as they make reduce the effectiveness of the treatment or increase the risk of certain side effects. Names of some drugs that are likely to interact with Prilosec are:
- Blood thinning drugs
- HIV medications
- Ampicillin
- Digoxin
- Diazepam
- Water pills
- Clopidogrel
- Cilostazol
- Diazepam
- Cyclosporine
- Phenytoin
- Tacrolimus
- Ketoconazole
Other drugs, including the ones you purchase without prescription, may also interact with Omeprazole. That is why patients are advised to inform their doctor about all the drugs that they are currently using.
