What Is Omeprazole?

Precautions To Remember

Before using prescription omeprazole, patients should inform their healthcare team about all medications they take, including St. John's wort, anticoagulants, and diuretics. The physician may need to adjust the patient's dose of these medicines if omeprazole is added, and they might also recommend frequent follow-up appointments for monitoring. Patients who take rilpivirine are typically advised not to use omeprazole. Since the proton pump omeprazole inhibits is stimulated by food, patients need to take this medicine on an empty stomach, and ideally with a full glass of water. It is safe for patients to continue their normal diet while taking omeprazole. If a dose is missed, the patient should take the missed dose as soon as they remember. However, if it is only a few hours before the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped. Taking two doses at once could increase the risk of side effects. Patients who use nonprescription omeprazole should let their doctor know if they have experienced heartburn for more than three months and if they have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, difficult or painful swallowing. These symptoms might be signs of a more serious medical problem that cannot be treated with nonprescription omeprazole. In addition, patients should let their doctor know if they have ever had a vitamin B12 deficiency, low magnesium levels, or liver disease.

Read about the potential medication interactions associated with omeprazole now.