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Proper Use
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 has told you not to use them.
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 .
Take this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better. Also, keep your appointments with your doctor for check-ups so that your doctor will be better able to tell you when to stop taking this medicine.
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 dyspepsia:
- Adults—20 milligrams (mg) taken once a day for four weeks. Patients may respond adequately to 10 mg once daily, so individual dose adjustment may be considered.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
- Adults—Usual dose is 20 milligrams (mg) taken once a day for four to eight weeks. Your doctor may tell you to take 40 mg a day for certain conditions. Also, your doctor may want you to take omeprazole for more than eight weeks for certain conditions.
- Children 1 year of age and older—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
- Children younger than 1 year of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- To treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome):
- Adults—60 mg taken once a day. Your doctor may change the dose as needed. Your treatment may be continued for as long as it is needed.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- To treat duodenal ulcers:
- Adults—Usual dose is 20 mg taken once a day. Your doctor may tell you to take 40 mg a day for certain conditions.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- To treat gastric ulcers:
- Adults—40 mg taken once a day for four to eight weeks.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- To treat ulcers related to infection with H. pylori:
- Adults—Dual treatment: 40 mg once a day, taken along with clarithromycin 500 mg three times a day, for the first fourteen days. For the next fourteen days, omeprazole 20 mg taken once a day. Triple treatment: 20 mg once a day, taken along with clarithromycin 500 mg and amoxicillin 1000 mg two times a day, for the first ten days. For the next 18 days, omeprazole 20 mg taken once a day.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- To treat dyspepsia:
- 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) taken once a day for four to eight weeks.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- To treat gastric ulcers:
- Adults—40 mg taken once a day for four to eight weeks.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- To treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) for erosive esophagitis:
- Adults—20 mg taken once a day for four to eight weeks.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- To prevent upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in seriously ill patients:
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.
