Osimep 20mg Capsules

Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). It reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes.

It is used for:

• heartburn and acid reflux, including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
• stomach and duodenal ulcers
• getting rid of Helicobacter pylori infection, together with antibiotics

Take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you, usually once a day in the morning, before a meal.

• Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not chew or crush the pellets inside.
• If you find capsules hard to swallow, ask your pharmacist. Some capsules can be opened and the pellets mixed with a spoonful of soft food such as apple sauce, then swallowed straight away.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due. Never take two doses together.
• Do not stop taking a prescribed course without talking to your doctor.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• stomach pain, wind
• feeling or being sick
• diarrhoea or constipation

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• severe or watery diarrhoea with stomach pain or fever that does not go away
• swelling of the face or throat, rash, or trouble breathing
• blistering or peeling skin
• a fast or irregular heartbeat, fits, or muscle twitching or weakness
• a rash on sun-exposed skin with joint pain

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have had a reaction to omeprazole or another PPI
• have liver or kidney problems, or weak bones (osteoporosis)
• have had low magnesium, calcium or potassium levels
• are due for a gastroscopy or certain blood tests
• take warfarin, clopidogrel, digoxin, diazepam, phenytoin, St John's wort or the HIV medicines atazanavir or nelfinavir

Keep in the original container, tightly closed, at room temperature away from light, heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of reach of children.

Hidden problems: omeprazole can hide symptoms of serious illness such as stomach cancer. See a doctor if your symptoms get worse, do not improve, or you are worried.

Long-term use: using it for a year or more may raise the risk of bone fractures and low vitamin B12.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: it can usually be taken, but check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Alcohol: best avoided, as it can make symptoms worse.