Product Description

1. WHAT omeprazole 20 mg capsules IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
Omeprazole 20 mg capsules contains the active substance omeprazole. It belongs to a group of medicines called ‘proton pump inhibitors’. They work by reducing the amount of acid that your stomach produces.
Omeprazole 20 mg capsules is used to treat the following conditions:
In adults:
‘Gastro-esophageal reflux disease’ (GERD). 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 antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal.
Ulcers caused by medicines called NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). omeprazole 20 mg capsules 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:
Children over 1 year of age and ≥ 10 kg
‘Gastro-esophageal reflux disease’ (GERD). 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.
Children and adolescents over 4 years of age
Ulcers which are infected with bacteria called ‘Helicobacter pylori’. If your child has this condition, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal.
2. BEFORE YOU TAKE omeprazole 20 mg capsules
Do not take omeprazole 20 mg capsules
if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to omeprazole or any of the other ingredients of omeprazole 20 mg capsules.
if you are allergic to medicines containing other proton pump inhibitors (eg pantoprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole).
if you are taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used for HIV infection)
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking omeprazole 20 mg capsules.
Take special care with omeprazole 20 mg capsules
omeprazole 20 mg capsules may hide the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if any of the following happen to you before you start taking omeprazole 20 mg capsules or while you are taking it, talk to your doctor straight away:
You lose a lot of weight for no reason and have problems swallowing.
You get stomach pain or indigestion.
You begin to vomit food or blood.
You pass black stools (blood-stained faeces).
You experience severe or persistent diarrhoea, as omeprazole has been associated with a small increase in infectious diarrhoea.
You have severe liver problems.
If you take omeprazole 20 mg capsules on a long-term basis (longer than 1 year) your doctor will probably keep you under regular surveillance. You should report any new and exceptional symptoms and circumstances whenever you see your doctor.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This is because omeprazole 20 mg capsules can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on omeprazole 20 mg capsules.
Do not take omeprazole 20 mg capsules if you are taking a medicine containing nelfinavir (used to treat HIV infection).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Ketoconazole, itraconazole or voriconazole (used to treat infections caused by a fungus)
Digoxin (used to treat heart problems)
Diazepam (used to treat anxiety, relax muscles or in epilepsy)
Phenytoin (used in epilepsy). If you are taking phenytoin, your doctor will need to monitor you when you start or stop taking omeprazole 20 mg capsules
Medicines that are used to thin your blood, such as warfarin or other vitamin K blockers. Your doctor may need to monitor you when you start or stop taking omeprazole 20 mg capsules
Rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)
Atazanavir (used to treat HIV infection)
Tacrolimus (in cases of organ transplantation)
St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) (used to treat mild depression)
Cilostazol (used to treat intermittent claudication)
Saquinavir (used to treat HIV infection)
Clopidogrel (used to prevent blood clots (thrombi))
If your doctor has prescribed the antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin as well as omeprazole 20 mg capsules to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, it is very important that you tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking.
Taking omeprazole 20 mg capsules with food and drink
You can take your capsules with food or on an empty stomach.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Before taking omeprazole 20 mg capsules, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Your doctor will decide whether you can take omeprazole 20 mg capsules during this time.

Your doctor will decide whether you can take omeprazole 20 mg capsules if you are breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

omeprazole 20 mg capsules is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. Side effects such as dizziness and visual disturbances may occur (see section 4). If affected, you should not drive or operate machinery.

Important information about some of the ingredients of omeprazole 20 mg capsules:

omeprazole 20 mg capsules capsules contain sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.