Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved omeprazole oral capsule for use in certain situations to treat:
This article describes possible side effects of omeprazole oral capsule. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for omeprazole.
Omeprazole oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Prilosec. Omeprazole also comes over the counter (OTC) in certain strengths without a prescription being needed. But OTC omeprazole has different uses compared with prescription omeprazole.
OTC omeprazole isn’t described in this article. To learn more about OTC omeprazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about omeprazole oral capsule, including the drug’s uses, dosage, ways to save on cost, and more.
More common side effects of omeprazole
Omeprazole oral capsule may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of omeprazole oral capsule include:
- headache
- belly pain
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- gas
Mild side effects of omeprazole
Omeprazole may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of omeprazole oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
- headache
- belly pain
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- gas
- acid reflux
- upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
- constipation
- dizziness
- skin rash
- weakness
- back pain
- cough
- mild allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of omeprazole in detail” section below. This side effect didn’t occur in omeprazole’s studies. But there have been reports of it happening since the drug was approved for use.
Omeprazole oral capsule may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of omeprazole
Omeprazole may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from omeprazole oral capsule, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with omeprazole oral capsule.
Serious side effects of omeprazole oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of omeprazole in detail” section below. This side effect didn’t occur in omeprazole’s studies. But there have been reports of it happening since the drug was approved for use.
Side effects of omeprazole in children
Doctors may prescribe omeprazole to children ages 2 years and older to treat:
Side effects of omeprazole in children are similar to those in adults, which are listed above. In addition, children who take omeprazole may also have a fever. Children are also more likely to have a respiratory infection, such as the common cold.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have more questions about side effects of omeprazole in children.
Common questions about side effects of omeprazole
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of omeprazole oral capsule. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do different strengths of omeprazole, such as 20 mg or 40 mg, cause different side effects?
No, different strengths of omeprazole don’t cause different side effects. In general, the risk of side effects from a drug increases as the dosage increases. But different strengths usually don’t cause different kinds of side effects. For reference, omeprazole strengths above are written in milligrams (mg).
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does omeprazole cause long-term side effects?
It’s possible, especially if the drug is taken long term. This can refer to side effects that start during treatment and continue for a long time, possibly after you’ve ended treatment. Or it can refer to side effects that start after you’ve taken the drug for a long time or have ended treatment.
Long-term side effects reported with omeprazole include:
Some of these side effects may go away once you stop taking omeprazole, but others may need to be treated. Your doctor can tell you more about what to expect with long-term side effects of the drug.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of omeprazole in detail” section below.
Is weight gain or weight loss a possible side effect of omeprazole?
It’s not thought so. Neither weight gain nor weight loss was reported in the drug’s studies.
Weight gain has occurred in people taking omeprazole after the drug was approved for use. But because it was reported outside of the drug’s approval studies, it’s not known whether omeprazole or other factors caused it.
Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about your weight and whether any medications could be affecting it. Your doctor can recommend ways to help you maintain a body weight that’s healthy for you.
Can omeprazole cause anxiety?
It’s possible. Anxiety wasn’t a reported as a side effect in omeprazole’s studies.
After omeprazole was approved for use, some people taking omeprazole reported having anxiety. Because this happened outside of the drug’s approval studies, it’s not known whether omeprazole or other factors caused it.
Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about anxiety symptoms. They can review your medications to assess whether any could be causing or contributing to your symptoms.
How do side effects of prescription omeprazole compare with those of OTC omeprazole?
Side effects of prescription omeprazole and over-the-counter (OTC) omeprazole are expected to be the same.
Keep in mind that some strengths of prescription omeprazole are higher than those of OTC omeprazole. In general, the risk of side effects from a drug increases with a higher dose. But different strengths usually don’t cause different kinds of side effects.
If you have more questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Coupon for omeprazole
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for omeprazole when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of omeprazole in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of omeprazole oral capsule.
Kidney inflammation
It’s rare but possible for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including omeprazole, to cause a kind of kidney inflammation. This side effect can happen at any time while you’re taking omeprazole.
This side effect didn’t occur in omeprazole’s studies. But there have been reports of it happening since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms of this kidney inflammation include:
In addition, this side effect can cause symptoms that don’t seem to be related to your kidneys. Examples include fever, skin rash, and joint aches or pains.
Ways to manage
Let your doctor know right away if you have symptoms of kidney inflammation while you’re taking omeprazole. Your doctor will likely suggest that you stop taking omeprazole. And they’ll probably have you come for an appointment so they can evaluate your symptoms.
Bone fractures
Taking a PPI for a long period seems to raise the risk of bone fractures in the hips, wrists, and spine. Keep in mind that omeprazole is a PPI.
This risk wasn’t reported in studies used for the drug’s approval. But there have been reports of it happening since the drug was approved for use.
In these reports, an increased risk of bone fractures was seen in people who took:
- a PPI every day for at least 1 year or longer
- multiple doses of a PPI each day
Symptoms of a bone fracture can include:
- bruising, discoloration, and swelling at the area of the break
- a visible break or deformity in the affected bone
- inability to bear weight on the affected bone
Ways to manage
To help lower your risk of bone fractures, your doctor may recommend that you take PPI drugs:
- for the shortest length of time, and
- at the lowest dose needed to treat your condition
Before prescribing omeprazole, your doctor should evaluate your risk of bone fractures. If you have certain conditions, your doctor will recommend treatment to strengthen your bones and help lower this risk. Examples of conditions include osteopenia and osteoporosis. (These are both characterized by weak bones.) Your doctor may suggest that you take a vitamin D and calcium supplement daily.
If you think you’ve broken a bone while taking omeprazole, call your doctor right away. They can recommend appropriate treatment to heal your bone. They can also discuss whether you should continue taking omeprazole.
Low magnesium level in the blood
PPIs can cause low magnesium when taken long term. (This is defined as at least 3 months, but usually 1 year or longer.) Keep in mind that omeprazole is a PPI.
This side effect didn’t occur in omeprazole’s studies. But there have been reports of it happening since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms of low magnesium can include:
- spasms in the hands and feet
- tremors
- muscle aches or cramps
- muscle weakness
- jitteriness
- irregular heart rate
- dizziness
- seizures
Ways to manage
To help lower your risk of low magnesium, your doctor may recommend that you take PPI drugs:
- for the shortest length of time, and
- at the lowest dose needed to treat your condition
If you need to take omeprazole long term, your doctor may order lab tests from time to time to check your magnesium level.
If you have symptoms of low magnesium, call your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you stop taking omeprazole. They’ll also probably recommend a treatment to restore your blood magnesium level. This could include taking a magnesium supplement.
Allergic reaction
For some people, omeprazole oral capsule can cause an allergic reaction.
This side effect didn’t occur in omeprazole’s studies. But there have been reports of it happening since the drug was approved for use.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to omeprazole oral capsule, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for omeprazole
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking omeprazole oral capsule.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take omeprazole oral capsule if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether omeprazole oral capsule is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking omeprazole oral capsule, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
Omeprazole and pregnancy
It’s not known whether it’s safe to take omeprazole during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible risks and benefits of treatments, including omeprazole, during pregnancy.
Omeprazole and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether it’s safe to breastfeed while taking omeprazole. The drug may be present in breast milk, but this isn’t known for sure. Talk with your doctor to learn more about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking omeprazole.
Omeprazole and alcohol
Omeprazole oral capsule is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with omeprazole.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of omeprazole oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my health history increase my risk of long-term side effects if I take omeprazole daily?
- If I have side effects from omeprazole, can you prescribe a lower dose of the drug?
- How will my bone health be monitored while I’m taking omeprazole? Should I take vitamin D and calcium supplements to promote bone health?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
