Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, 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. pylori infection, take it together with antibiotics (eg, amoxicillin, clarithromycin) at the same time of day.

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. This mixture must be swallowed immediately with a glass of cool water. The applesauce should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. Do not chew or crush the pellets.

To use the powder for oral suspension:

  • Empty packet of powder into a small cup containing 2 tablespoons of water.
  • Do not use other liquids or foods.
  • Stir well and drink immediately.
  • Refill cup with water and drink.

To use the delayed-release oral suspension:

  • Empty the contents of a 2.5 milligrams (mg) packet of powder into a container containing 5 mL of water.
  • Empty the contents of a 10 mg packet of powder into a container containing 15 mL of water.
  • Do not use other liquids or foods.
  • Stir and leave it for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken.
  • Stir well and drink within 30 minutes.
  • If any medicine remains after drinking, add more water, stir, and drink immediately.

If you are using the delayed-release oral suspension with a nasogastric or gastric tube:

  • Add 5 mL to a catheter tipped syringe and then add the contents of a 2.5 mg packet (or 15 mL of water for the 10 mg packet).
  • Shake the syringe right away and leave it for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken.
  • Shake the syringe and give the medicine through the nasogastric or gastric tube into the stomach with 30 minutes.
  • Refill the syringe with an equal amount of water.
  • Shake and flush any remaining contents from the nasogastric or gastric tube into the stomach.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage forms (capsules, delayed-release capsules or suspension, or tablets):
    • To treat duodenal ulcers:
      • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) once a day before a meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat duodenal ulcers with H. pylori:
      • Adults—20 or 40 milligrams (mg) one, two, or three times a day before a meal. The dose is usually taken together with clarithromycin or clarithromycin plus amoxicillin. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat erosive esophagitis:
      • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) once a day before a meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat erosive esophagitis caused by acid-mediated GERD:
      • Adults and children 17 years of age and older—20 milligrams (mg) once a day before a meal.
      • Children 1 to 16 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 5 to 20 mg once a day before a meal.
      • Children 1 month to younger than 1 year of age—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 2.5 to 10 mg once a day before a meal.
      • Children younger than 1 month of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat gastric ulcers:
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) once a day before a meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
      • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) once a day before a meal. Your doctor may want you to take omeprazole for more than 8 weeks for certain conditions.
      • Children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually 5 to 20 mg once a day before a meal.
      • Children younger than 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome:
      • Adults—60 milligrams (mg) once a day before a meal. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (powder for suspension):
    • To prevent upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in seriously ill patients:
      • Adults—The first day: 40 milligrams (mg) for the first dose, then after 6 to 8 hours, a second 40 mg dose. After the first day: 40 mg once a day for up to 14 days.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat duodenal ulcer:
      • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) once a day for 4 to 8 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat gastric ulcers:
      • Adults—40 milligrams (mg) once a day for 4 to 8 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for erosive esophagitis:
      • Adults—20 milligrams (mg) once a day for 4 to 8 weeks.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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Portions of this document last updated: March 01, 2024

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