Prilosec side effects: A detailed guide

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Prilosec oral suspension to treat:

• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms, including heartburn, for up to 4 weeks
• and heal erosive esophagitis caused due to GERD
• certain other conditions related to high levels of stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
• ulcers in the stomach or small intestine
• Helicobacter pylori infection, when taken with other medications

This article describes possible side effects of Prilosec oral suspension. To learn more about Prilosec, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Prilosec is a brand-name medication that comes as a delayed-release powder which is mixed with water and swallowed (this is also called an oral suspension). Delayed release means that the medication is released into your body slowly over time after you take the suspension. It’s available in a generic version called omeprazole. This article describes possible side effects of Prilosec.

More common side effects of Prilosec

Prilosec oral suspension may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.

Commonly reported side effects of Prilosec oral suspension include:

• headache
• abdominal pain*
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• flatulence

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Prilosec in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of Prilosec

Prilosec 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 Prilosec that occurred in studies include:

• abdominal pain*
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• flatulence
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• skin rash
• upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
• weakness
• mild allergic reaction*†

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Prilosec in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with Prilosec oral suspension. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

Prilosec oral suspension may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of Prilosec

Prilosec may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Prilosec oral suspension, 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 Prilosec.

The following serious side effects weren’t reported in studies of Prilosec oral suspension. But, they have occurred in people after the drug was approved for use:

• acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (also called acute interstitial nephritis)*
• Clostridioides difficile infection and associated severe diarrhea
• bone fractures, with long-term use
• low blood magnesium level, with long-term use
• low blood vitamin B12 level*, with long-term use
• lupus
• severe life threatening skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)
• stomach polyps (growths)
• severe allergic reaction*†

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Prilosec in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with Prilosec oral suspension. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

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Side effects of Prilosec in children

For children, doctors prescribe Prilosec oral suspension to treat the following conditions:

• GERD symptoms, including heartburn, for up to 4 weeks in children ages 1 year and older
• erosive esophagitis caused by GERD in children ages 1 year and older

In studies, the following side effects were more common in children than in adults:

• middle ear infection
• fever
• accidental injury

If you’d like to know more about side effects in children taking Prilosec oral suspension, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about side effects of Prilosec

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Prilosec oral suspension. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Prilosec cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases Prilosec oral suspension may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. Other side effects may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported with Prilosec include:

• acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (a type of kidney inflammation also called acute interstitial nephritis)*
• bone fractures, with long-term use
• low blood magnesium level, with long-term use
• low blood vitamin B12 level*, with long-term use
• lupus
• stomach polyps

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Prilosec in detail” section below.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of Prilosec may last.

Is anxiety a side effect of Prilosec?

It’s possible, but not known for sure.

Anxiety was not a side effect reported in studies of Prilosec oral suspension. However, there have been rare reports of people experiencing anxiety as a side effect since the drug was approved. Because these reports happened outside controlled studies, it’s not known if anxiety was caused by Prilosec or other factors, such as another medication.

Talk with your doctor if you experience anxiety and are seeking treatment for your symptoms.

Are side effects of the prescription form of Prilosec similar to those seen with the over-the-counter (OTC) form of the drug?

Yes. Side effects between prescription and OTC forms of Prilosec are expected to be mostly the same. Prescription and OTC forms of Prilosec both contain omeprazole as the active ingredient (an active ingredient is what makes the drug work).

OTC Prilosec isn’t approved for long-term use. However, OTC Prilosec may still cause the long-term side effects discussed in this article if it’s taken for longer than recommended. Using the OTC form of Prilosec for more than 14 consecutive days isn’t recommended. If you need to use Prilosec long term, you should take the prescription form and be closely monitored by your doctor for side effects.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to know more about how prescription and OTC forms of Prilosec compare.

Side effects of Prilosec in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Prilosec oral suspension.

Abdominal pain

In studies, abdominal pain was common in people taking Prilosec. This side effect is usually mild.

With abdominal pain, you experience pain between your chest and pelvis. Abdominal pain may be achy, crampy, dull, or sharp. It may start and stop at irregular intervals.

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of abdominal pain, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend making an appointment so that they can review your symptoms and determine possible causes. Many different conditions can cause abdominal pain. But it is also possible to experience abdominal pain as a side effect of Prilosec. Your doctor can review your symptoms, determine the most likely cause, and recommend the best treatment. This may include stopping treatment with Prilosec oral suspension.

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis

In studies, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis wasn’t reported in people taking Prilosec. But there have been rare reports of this side effect since the drug was approved for use.

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (also called acute interstitial nephritis) is a type of kidney inflammation that may be serious. It most commonly occurs as a side effect of certain medications. Symptoms may include:

• blood in urine
• decreased urination
• fatigue or generally feeling unwell
• joint aches or pain
• skin rash

Without treatment, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis can cause chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with Prilosec. They can also recommend appropriate treatments for your kidney inflammation.

Low blood vitamin B12 level

In studies, a low blood vitamin B12 level wasn’t reported in people taking Prilosec. But there have been rare reports of this side effect since the drug was approved for use. This side effect may be mild or serious, depending on how low your vitamin B12 level drops. But most cases are mild.

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in body functions such as brain health and nerve function. Symptoms of a low vitamin B12 level include:

• fatigue
• muscle weakness
• diarrhea or constipation
• numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• problems with balance or coordination

Certain factors can increase the risk of low blood vitamin B12 level with Prilosec. These include taking Prilosec daily for longer than three years in a row.

Ways to manage

Your doctor may have you take a blood test to check your vitamin B12 level while taking Prilosec. They can provide more information on how frequently they want to test your blood.

If you experience symptoms of low vitamin B12 level, tell your doctor. They’ll likely want to check your B12 level with a blood test. If the level is low, they may recommend a vitamin B12 supplement. It’s also possible that they’ll have you stop taking Prilosec.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Prilosec oral suspension can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s unclear whether it occurred in the drug’s studies.

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)

In addition, life threatening allergic skin reactions are also possible with Prilosec oral suspension. Examples include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The main symptom of these conditions is a severe, blistering, peeling skin rash. These conditions require treatment at a hospital or emergency room right away.

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, difficulty breathing, or a life threatening skin reaction, 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 Prilosec, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Warnings for Prilosec

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Prilosec oral suspension.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Prilosec oral suspension if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Prilosec is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking Prilosec, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• kidney condition, such as CKD
• liver condition, such as alcohol-related liver disease
• low blood magnesium level (hypomagnesemia)
• osteopenia or osteoporosis
• if you take the drug rilpivirine or a drug that contains it, such as Complera or Cabenuva
• past allergic reaction to Prilosec

Prilosec and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Prilosec oral suspension should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Prilosec and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Prilosec oral suspension should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Prilosec and alcohol

Prilosec oral suspension 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 Prilosec oral suspension.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes common and serious side effects of Prilosec. 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:

• How do side effects of Prilosec and Nexium (esomeprazole) compare?
• If I had side effects from taking a different proton pump inhibitor (PPI), am I at high risk of experiencing them again if I take Prilosec?
• Does my risk of side effects from Prilosec depend on the condition I’m taking it to treat?
• Does my risk of side effects depend on my Prilosec dosage?

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.