What Is Omeprazole?

Side Effects Of Omeprazole

Adults who use omeprazole could experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and gas. Children taking this medicine might develop a fever in addition to these side effects. Omeprazole may also cause more serious side effects for some patients. For example, blood tests could show low magnesium, especially if the patient has taken omeprazole for more than three months. Potential symptoms of reduced magnesium include seizures, fast heartbeat, spasms of the hands and feet, muscle weakness, and dizziness. Using omeprazole for more than three years might lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency too. Patients with this nutritional deficiency typically experience signs such as numbness in the hands and feet, poor muscle coordination, menstrual changes, and nervousness. This medication could also cause kidney damage, and patients with this side effect often have urinary changes and pain in the side and back.

Individuals who use omeprazole have a higher risk of wrist, hip, and spine fractures, and the medication could lead to severe diarrhea and inflammation of the stomach lining. Patients with an inflamed stomach lining usually report symptoms such as weight loss, stomach pain, and vomiting. The medication has been associated with the development of systemic lupus erythematosus, and this might trigger blood clots, weight loss, fever, fatigue, and heartburn. Some patients taking omeprazole develop cutaneous lupus erythematosus, which leads to the formation of a red, raised, and scaly rash on the body. The rash can sometimes be purple, and it may also form on the nose.

Learn about the precautions to remember in regards to taking omeprazole next.