
Precautions
Several clinical studies have shown that PPIs including Prilosec and Prilosec OTC are linked to severe problems with the kidneys. Prilosec dangers to the kidneys include a more significant risk of long-term kidney damage and kidney disease.
Is taking Prilosec long term bad?
While Nexium and Prilosec are very similar in terms of effectiveness, studies do show that Nexium is likely slightly more efficacious. Studies have shown that Nexium (esomeprazole) is metabolized slower than Prilosec (omeprazole), which leads to higher drug concentrations and prolonged suppression of stomach acid. This may make Nexium more effective in treating symptoms of GERD.
Does Nexium work better than Prilosec?
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Reduced appetite or anorexia
- Flatulence
- Weight loss
- Sickness
- Proteinuria (excretion of protein in the urine)
What are the side effects of Prilosec?
Prilosec OTC is a 14-day regimen that can be used up to three times a year, but not more often than every 4 months. If you need to use Prilosec OTC for more than the three indicated 14-day courses of treatment, consult with your doctor. Here’s why: By talking with your doctor first, you and your doctor will ensure you’re not missing a bigger health
How often can you take Prilosec?

What symptoms does Prilosec relieve?
It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus.
What are the dangers of taking Prilosec?
Common Prilosec side effects include headache, stomach pain and nausea. Long-term Prilosec use has been linked to kidney damage, bone fractures and other dangerous side effects. Unlike prescription Prilosec, Prilosec OTC is safe to treat frequent heartburn.
Why was Prilosec taken off the market?
The FDA said the medicines may contain "unacceptable" amounts of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a substance the World Health Organization has classified as a "probable human carcinogen."
Does Prilosec help immediately?
The acid-suppressing effects of Prilosec occur within an hour of dosing, with the maximal effect occurring within 2 hours. Effects last for up to 72 hours. Acid levels return to previous levels within 3 to 5 days of discontinuation.
Who should not take Prilosec?
liver problems. a type of kidney inflammation called interstitial nephritis. subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease.
Is it OK to take Prilosec every day?
Prilosec OTC is a delayed-release 20mg tablet, taken once a day (every 24 hours) for 14 days before eating. You should not take it for more than 14 days or repeat a 14-day course more often than every 4 months unless directed by a doctor.
What is the safest antacid to take long term?
Proton pump inhibitors are accepted as the most effective initial and maintenance treatment for GERD. Oral pantoprazole is a safe, well tolerated and effective initial and maintenance treatment for patients with nonerosive GERD or erosive esophagitis.
Which is safer Nexium or Prilosec?
In the short term, the isomer arrangement of Nexium means that the drug gets metabolized more slowly. This means that Nexium stays in the body longer, which is why it offers slightly better acid control. Because of the chemical makeup, Nexium is likely to cause fewer potential drug interactions than Prilosec.
Is Nexium and Prilosec the same thing?
Omeprazole (Prilosec) and esomeprazole (Nexium) are similar drugs. However, there are minor differences in their chemical makeup. Prilosec contains two isomers of the drug omeprazole, while Nexium only contains one isomer.
What foods should I avoid when taking omeprazole?
Food Tips when taking Omeprazole: Greasy or fatty foods like french fries, pizza, deep fried chicken slow the digestive system down and often causes indigestion, heartburn and nausea. Onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee, peppermint and some spices can also cause an increase in gastric symptoms.
When is the best time to take Prilosec?
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.
Does Prilosec raise blood pressure?
Answer. The full paperwork on Prilosec does list high blood pressure as possible side effect but not increase in cholesterol.
What is a natural alternative to Prilosec?
Natural PPI alternatives include:Probiotics: Some case studies show specific probiotics help with GERD and acid reflux. ... Herbal Remedies: Some people find herbal remedies such as ginger root, chamomile, slippery elm, marshmallow and licorice effective in treating heartburn.More items...•
What can I take instead of omeprazole?
Protonix.Dexilant.Prilosec.Famotidine.Prevacid.Esomeprazole.
Does Prilosec affect your heart?
About 431 of these patients took PPIs, most commonly Prilosec (omeprazole), to control stomach problems from CAD medications. But, patients who took PPIs had a higher risk of heart failure and death that those who did not, about 14.65 percent versus 5.45 percent.
What foods should I avoid when taking omeprazole?
Food Tips when taking Omeprazole: Greasy or fatty foods like french fries, pizza, deep fried chicken slow the digestive system down and often causes indigestion, heartburn and nausea. Onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee, peppermint and some spices can also cause an increase in gastric symptoms.
Is omeprazole (Prilosec) bad for your kidneys?
Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is used to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and it can be bad for your kidneys...
Can I take omeprazole in the morning and famotidine at night?
Yes, you could take omeprazole in the morning and famotidine at night but there are not many studies investigating this approach. Preliminary resul...
Can you take an antacid with omeprazole?
You can take an antacid with omeprazole if you are still getting symptoms of indigestion because it can take several days for omeprazole to start w...
Is omeprazole (Prilosec) bad for your kidneys?
Omeprazole (Prilosec) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is used to reduce the amount of acid in your stomach and it can be bad for your kidneys...
Can I take omeprazole in the morning and famotidine at night?
Yes, you could take omeprazole in the morning and famotidine at night but there are not many studies investigating this approach. Preliminary resul...
Can you take an antacid with omeprazole?
You can take an antacid with omeprazole if you are still getting symptoms of indigestion because it can take several days for omeprazole to start w...
What Is Prilosec?
Prilosec (omeprazole) is a prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that treats stomach and esophagus problems such as acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ), erosive esophagitis, peptic ulcer disease ( PUD ), and heartburn.
What Are the Side Effects of Prilosec?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A medical professional can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
What Other Medications Interact With Prilosec?
Prilosec has many drug interactions, so it is important to share what other medications you are taking with your healthcare provider. Prilosec suppresses acid production in the body , which can interfere with how other medications work.
How long can you take prilosec?
OTC Prilosec is intended to be taken for only a few weeks (14 days), and prescription forms are to be taken as directed and advised by your healthcare provider.
How to store prilosec?
Store all forms of Prilosec at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in the bathroom or kitchen. Containers should be closed tightly and kept away from direct sunlight.
When to take prilosec before surgery?
Aspiration prevention: Your healthcare provider might prescribe you to take Prilosec the night before surgery and the morning of surgery to reduce the risk of aspiration during anesthesia. Aspiration is the medical term for when something (e.g., food, saliva, or stomach contents) enters your airways or lungs by accident.
What to do if someone collapses after taking omeprazole?
If someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking omeprazole, call 911 immediately.
How should I take Prilosec OTC?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
How long does it take to get prilosec?
OTC Prilosec OTC should be taken for only 14 days in a row. It may take 1 to 4 days before your symptoms improve. Allow at least 4 months to pass before you start a new 14-day course of treatment. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.
What other drugs will affect Prilosec OTC?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
How long does Prilosec OTC last?
Over-the-counter (OTC) Prilosec OTC is used in adults to help control heartburn that occurs 2 or more days per week. Prilosec OTC not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms. OTC this medicine must be taken on a regular basis for 14 days in a row.
What to do if you can't swallow a capsule?
If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use.
Can you take prilosec if you are allergic to it?
You should not use Prilosec OTC if you are allergic to it, or if: you are also allergic to medicines like Prilosec OTC, such as esPrilosec OTC, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, Nexium, Prevacid, Protonix, and others;
Can you take prilosec if you have a heart attack?
Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain that spreads to your jaw or shoulder and you feel sweaty or light-headed. You should not use Prilosec OTC if you are allergic to it, or if:
What Does Prilosec Do?
Prilosec helps treat conditions caused by too much acid in the stomach. Prilosec shuts down tiny pumps in the stomach that produce acid. This reduces the amount of acid in the stomach.
Why do people take prilosec?
People take Prilosec to help heal acid damage to the esophagus and stomach. Another Prilosec use is to help prevent ulcers and cancer of the esophagus. Prilosec is approved to treat acid-related conditions including gastroesophageal reflux disease.
How long can you take prilosec over the counter?
The FDA warns about overusing Prilosec OTC. It says people should not take over-the-counter PPIs for more than 14 days. The FDA also warns against taking more than three 14 day courses in a year. Overuse may lead to serious Prilosec side effects.
How many drugs interact with Prilosec?
Prilosec may cause drug interactions with more than 160 different medicines. At least 29 of those drugs may result in serious reactions.
When was Prilosec approved?
The FDA approved prescription Prilosec in 1989. People use Prilosec to treat serious medical conditions related to stomach acid. Prescription Prilosec is not approved to treat simple heartburn. The best time of day to take Prilosec is before a meal.
Is Prilosec OTC over the counter?
Comedian Larry the Cable Guy popularized Prilosec OTC in direct-to-consumer ads. Prilosec OTC is the over-the-counter version of Prilosec. Some people prescribed proton pump inhibitors take Prilosec OTC to save money.
Does prilosec cause heartburn?
Prilosec is a medicine designed to reduce stomach acid. If a person has too much stomach acid, it can flow into the esophagus. This can cause severe forms of heartburn and other medical problems.
What is omeprazole used for?
Omeprazole is used to treat certain stomach and esophagus problems (such as acid reflux, ulcers). It works by decreasing the amount of acid your stomach makes. It relieves symptoms such as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, and persistent cough. This medication helps heal acid damage to the stomach and esophagus, helps prevent ulcers, and may help prevent cancer of the esophagus. Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).
Does omeprazole cause bone fractures?
Proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole) may increase your risk for bone fractures, especially with longer use, higher doses, and in older adults. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about ways to prevent bone loss /fracture, such as by taking calcium (such as calcium citrate) and vitamin D supplements.
Is omeprazole the same as esomeprazole?
Omeprazole is very similar to esomepra zole. Do not use any medications containing esomeprazole while using omeprazole.
Can you take omeprazole if you are allergic to it?
Precautions. Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar drugs (such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole ); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems.
Does omeprazole affect stomach acid?
Some products need stomach acid so that the body can absorb them properly. Omeprazole decreases stomach acid, so it may change how well these products work. Some affected products include atazanavir, erlotinib, nelfinavir, pazopanib, rilpivirine, certain azole antifungals ( itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), among others.
Are you currently using Prilosec oral?
This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department .
What medicine is used to treat prilosec?
When you are taking Prilosec OTC, it is especially important that your health care provider know if you are taking any of the following: • warfarin (blood-thinning medicine) • prescription antifungal or anti-yeast medicines. • diazepam (anxiety medicine) • digoxin (heart medicine) 10.
What is Prilosec OTC used for?
What is Prilosec OTC used to treat? Prilosec OTC is used to treat frequent heartburn. Heartburn occurs when the stomach contents back up and out of the stomach into the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach). Frequent heartburn is when you have heartburn 2 or more days a week.
What does the label on Prilosec tell you?
Most importantly, the label will tell you when you should seek medical attention instead of taking Prilosec O TC. 3.
What OTC medications are used for heartburn?
There are other OTC drug products used to provide immediate relief for heartburn. These include antacids and acid reducer drug products such as Pepcid, Zantac, Tagamet, and Axid. Prilosec OTC should not be confused with these products because it works differently and is not intended for immediate relief.
How to contact the FDA about Prilosec?
If you have further questions regarding Prilosec OTC or any medications, please contact the Center for Drug's Division of Drug Information at: 888-INFOFDA (888-463-6332), or email us at: [email protected] .
Is Prilosec a good medicine for heartburn?
Frequent heartburn is when you have heartburn 2 or more days a week. Prilosec OTC is not the right medicine for you if you have occasional heartburn, one episode of heartburn a week or less, or if you want immediate relief of heartburn.
Does Prilosec contain omeprazole?
Although the two products contain omeprazole, prescription Prilosec is for treating conditions such as inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), ulcers, and other medical conditions for which a doctor’s supervision is needed.
What conditions can omeprazole be used for?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved omeprazole capsules and granules for the following medical conditions: intestinal ulcers in adults. stomach ulcers in adults. Helicobacter pylori infections, in combination with antibiotic therapy. gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD) in people aged 1 and above.
What is omeprazole used for?
Doctors prescribe omeprazole to reduce stomach acid to help treat a variety of digestive conditions.
How long does it take for omeprazole to work?
PPIs such as omeprazole will block the release of acid, thus decreasing the acidity inside the stomach. Omeprazole takes around 1 hour to block. Trusted Source. the production of stomach acid, and its maximal effect occurs around 2 hours after taking the pill. The action of omeprazole can continue for about 3 days.
What is the best medicine for acid reflux?
Omeprazole is an effective medication to reduce acid levels in the stomach and treat a variety of stomach related conditions. People can also use OTC omeprazole to treat frequent heartburn.
How does omeprazole work?
Proton pumps are also called hydrogen-potassium pumps, and they are located along the inner lining of the stomach. These pumps are responsible for releasing acid into the stomach. PPIs such as omeprazole will block the release of acid, thus decreasing the acidity inside the stomach.
How often can you take omeprazole?
People can use OTC omeprazole tablets to treat frequent heartburn that occurs two or more times per week.
What are the side effects of omeprazole?
The side effects of omeprazole include: headache. abdominal pain. nausea. diarrhea. vomiting. flatulence in adults. 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.
