Omeprazole is used to treat the following conditions:

In adults:

- 'gastro-oesophageal reflux disease' (GORD). This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the gullet (the tube which connects your throat to your stomach) causing pain, inflammation and heartburn;

- ulcers in the upper part of the intestine (duodenal ulcer) or stomach (gastric ulcer);

- ulcers which are infected with bacteria called ‘Helicobacter pylori’. If you have this condition, your doctor may also prescribe some antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal;

- ulcers caused by medicines called NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). Omeprazole can also be used to stop ulcers from forming if you are taking NSAIDs;

- too much acid in the stomach caused by a growth in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).

In children (over 1 year old and ≥ 10 kg):

- 'gastro-esophageal reflux disease' (GORD). This is where acid from the stomach escapes into the gullet (the tube which connects your throat to your stomach) causing pain, inflammation and heartburn. In children, the symptoms of the condition can include the return of stomach contents into the mouth (regurgitation), being sick (vomiting) and poor weight gain.

In children and adolescents over 4 years old:

- ulcers which are infected with bacteria called ‘Helicobacter pylori’. If your child has this condition, your doctor may also prescribe some antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal.

HOW TO TAKE

Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and how long to take them for. That will depend on your condition and how old you are.

RECOMMENDED DOSE

In adults

Treating the symptoms of GORD such as heartburn and acid regurgitation:

If your doctor has found that your food pipe (gullet) has been slightly damaged, the recommended dose is 20 mg once a day for 4-8 weeks. Your doctor may tell you to take a dose of 40 mg for a further 8 weeks if your gullet has not yet healed. The recommended dose once the gullet has healed is 10 mg once a day. If your gullet has not been damaged, the usual dose is 10 mg once a day.

Treating ulcers in the upper part of the intestine (duodenal ulcer):

The recommended dose is 20 mg once a day for 2 weeks. Your doctor may tell you to take the same dose for a further 2 weeks if your ulcer has not yet healed. If the ulcer do not fully heal, the dose can be increased to 40 mg once a day for 4 weeks.

Treating ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcer):

The recommended dose is 20 mg once a day for 4 weeks. Your doctor may tell you to take the same dose for a further 4 weeks if your ulcer has not yet healed. If the ulcer do not fully heal, the dose can be increased to 40 mg once a day for 8 weeks.

Preventing the duodenal and stomach ulcers from coming back:

The recommended dose is 10 mg or 20 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg once a day.

Treating duodenal and stomach ulcers caused by NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs):

The recommended dose is 20 mg once a day for 4–8 weeks.

Preventing duodenal and stomach ulcers if you are taking NSAIDs:

The recommended dose is 20 mg once a day.

Treating ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection and stopping them coming back:

The recommended dose is 20 mg Omeprazole twice a day for one week Your doctor will also tell you to take two antibiotics among amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole.

Treating too much acid in the stomach caused by a growth in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome):

The recommended dose is 60 mg daily. Your doctor will adjust the dose depending on your needs and will also decide how long you need to take the medicine for.

In children and adolescents:

Treating symptoms of GORD such as heartburn and acid regurgitation:

Children over 1 year of age and with a body weight of more than 10 kg may take Omeprazole. The dose for children is based on the child’s weight and the doctor will decide on the correct dose.

Treating ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection and to stop them coming back:

Children aged over 4 may take Omeprazole. The dose for children is based on the child’s weight and the doctor will decide the correct dose. Your doctor will also prescribe two kinds of antibiotics (Amoxicillin and Clarithromycin) for your child.

HOW TO TAKE

It is recommended that you take your capsules in the morning.

You can take your capsules with food or on an empty stomach.

Swallow your capsules whole with half a glass of water.

Do not chew or crush the capsules. This is because the capsules contain coated pellets which stop the medicine from being broken down by the acid in your stomach.

It is important not to damage the pellets.

If you or your child have trouble swallowing the capsules, then open the capsules and swallow the contents directly with half a glass of water or put the contents into a glass of still (non-fizzy) water, any acidic fruit juice (e.g. apple, orange or pineapple) or apple sauce. Always stir the mixture just before drinking it (the mixture will not be clear). Then drink the mixture straight away or within 30 minutes. To make sure that you have drunk all of the medicine, rinse the glass very well with half a glass of water and drink it.

Do not stop taking Omeprazole without first talking to your doctor.

OVERDOSE

If you take more Omeprazole than prescribed by your doctor, talk to your doctor immediately.

MISSED DOSE

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten one.

SIDE EFFECTS

Like all medicines, Omeprazole can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common side effects include:

- headache;

- diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, wind (flatulence);

- feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting);

- benign polyps in the stomach.

HOW TO STORE

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use it after the expiry date which is stated on the folding box, blister and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Store Omeprazole below 25ºC and in the original package in order to protect it from moisture.

MORE INFORMATION

For detailed information on interactions, further side effects, or specific usage guidance, consult your doctor or refer to the patient information leaflet included with the medication. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to achieve the best therapeutic outcome with Omeprazole.