Omeprazole how long to take

Doctors prescribe omeprazole to children ages 1—16 based on their weight. The following table lists the recommended dosages in mg for each use of omeprazole in children based on their weight in kilograms kg.

Doctors suggest taking omeprazole 30—60 minutes before a meal. If the doctor recommends taking omeprazole twice daily, the person should take it before breakfast and before supper. Side effects that children may report are similar to those that adults report, except that they tend to complain more about fever and breathing issues, such as pharyngitis and sinus infections.

Healthcare providers should follow up with people using omeprazole if their symptoms persist throughout treatment, or if their symptoms quickly return after stopping the medication.

Some doctors will detect kidney dysfunction in people taking omeprazole. A part of the kidney called the interstitium may become inflamed, causing a condition called acute interstitial nephritis to develop. People must stop taking omeprazole if they develop this. Some researchers have linked PPIs, including omeprazole, to Clostridium difficile diarrhea. This condition is a serious bacterial infection that can lead to hospitalization and be fatal.

Some studies report that PPIs may increase the risk of bone fractures. Healthcare providers should therefore prescribe the lowest effective dosage and limit its use to the shortest possible duration. People taking omeprazole for long periods of time may become deficient in some vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B and magnesium. Some drugs may interact with omeprazole. People should tell their doctor which medications they are already taking. Omeprazole may interfere with the action of some antiretroviral drugs.

However, researchers have not consistently reported this effect. Doctors should closely monitor people taking antiretroviral drugs and omeprazole together to ensure that the combination is safe. However, people should not use rilpivirine and rilpivirine-containing antiretrovirals at the same time as taking omeprazole. People taking warfarin to prevent blood clots should use omeprazole with caution because the combination can increase their risk of bleeding.

They may need more frequent blood testing to make sure that the dosage of warfarin is appropriate. Some doctors have reported higher methotrexate levels in people taking high dose methotrexate with omeprazole. These people must provide frequent blood samples so that their doctors can detect rising levels.

Also, some researchers have suggested that omeprazole interacts with clopidogrel. Taking a high dosage of omeprazole can reduce the levels of clopidogrel in the blood, putting people at risk of blood clots. People taking phenytoin or digoxin and omeprazole together may be at risk of toxicity. Doctors will monitor blood samples of phenytoin or digoxin closely when both drugs are required.

Some drugs need exposure to an acidic environment before the intestine can absorb them. By reducing the acidity of the stomach contents, omeprazole may interfere with the following drugs:.

Existing research does not demonstrate that omeprazole is harmful during pregnancy. Studies from Sweden and Denmark showed that the chance of birth defects in women using omeprazole was similar to the usual birth defect rate in the population.

Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex. Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the medicine label.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Take omeprazole capsules or delayed-release capsules before a meal, preferably in the morning. Omeprazole tablets may be taken with food or on an empty stomach. Take omeprazole powder for oral suspension on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal. For patients receiving continuous feeding through a tube, feeding should be temporarily stopped about 3 hours before and 1 hour after administration of omeprazole powder for oral suspension.

It may take several days before this medicine begins to relieve stomach pain. To help relieve this pain, antacids may be taken with omeprazole, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you are taking this medicine to treat an ulcer that is associated with an H.

Swallow the capsule and tablet forms of omeprazole whole. Do not open the capsule. Do not crush, break, or chew the capsule or the tablet. If you cannot swallow the omeprazole delayed-release capsules, you may open it and sprinkle the pellets contained in the capsule on one tablespoon of applesauce.

Omeprazole reduces the amount of acid produced in your stomach. It belongs to a group of medicines known as proton pump inhibitors PPIs. They are used to treat conditions associated with high stomach acid affecting your stomach and gut, such as indigestion , reflux and ulcers. Omeprazole can prevent ulcers from forming or help the healing process where damage has already occurred.

Omeprazole can be used to prevent ulcers caused by medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs. Omeprazole can also be given together with antibiotics to get rid of Helicobacter pylori , a bacteria found in your stomach that can cause ulcers.

There may be a small increased risk of bone fractures, chest infections, kidney problems and nutrient deficiencies such as low magnesium and vitamin B They may recommend stepping down your treatment. This could include:. Like all medicines omeprazole can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine.

When omeprazole is stopped, a common side effect is rebound acid secretion, where the acid secretion in your stomach increases significantly. This should return to normal within 2 weeks.