Omeprazole, Omeprazole DR

Omeprazole (oh MEP ra zole) oral capsule is prescribed for certain ulcers and other gastrointestinal conditions. It’s a generic medication and isn’t available in a brand-name version. Omeprazole belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

Medically reviewed by Brittany A. Duke, PharmD, RPh on April 17, 2023
Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

Introduction

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved omeprazole oral capsule to:

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

Omeprazole oral capsule is a delayed-release medication. This means the capsule releases the drug in your body a certain amount of time after you take it.

This article describes omeprazole oral capsule’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find coupon options for omeprazole.

Note: Omeprazole oral capsule was previously available as the brand-name drug Prilosec, but Prilosec is no longer available. (Prilosec OTC is available, which comes in different forms that don’t include an oral capsule.)

Side effects of omeprazole

Omeprazole may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of omeprazole oral capsule and possible serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age and overall health and any other medications you take.

To learn more about omeprazole oral capsule’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for omeprazole oral capsule.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with omeprazole oral capsule are listed below.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Omeprazole oral capsule’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• belly pain
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• gas
• heartburn that’s new or worsening
• upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
• constipation
• dizziness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for omeprazole” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of omeprazole oral capsule are listed below. With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common.

If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Omeprazole oral capsule’s serious side effects include:

• a kidney problem called sudden tubulointerstitial nephritis
• bone fractures, with long-term use
• Clostridioides difficile infection (a bacterial infection often called C. diff) and severe diarrhea
• lupus (a condition related to overactivity of the immune system)
• low blood magnesium level
• low vitamin B12 level, with long-term use
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for omeprazole” section below.

Uses of omeprazole

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as omeprazole for certain conditions. Approved uses for omeprazole oral capsule are described below.

Use for certain ulcers and other gastrointestinal conditions

Doctors may prescribe omeprazole oral capsule for treating certain ulcers and other gastrointestinal conditions.

Specifically, omeprazole is prescribed to:

• treat ulcers in the stomach or small intestine in adults
• treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms for up to 4 weeks, in adults and children ages 2 years and older
• treat conditions related to high levels of stomach acid, such as Zollinger-Ellison (ZE) syndrome, in adults
• treat and heal erosive esophagitis caused by GERD, in adults and children ages 2 years and older
• treat Helicobacter pylori infection (often called H. pylori) in adults, along with other medications

Omeprazole is usually prescribed as a short-term treatment. But it’s also prescribed long term for some conditions, such as ZE syndrome.

The conditions and symptoms omeprazole treats are usually related to excess stomach acid. Too much stomach acid can irritate the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. This can result in ulcers, which are painful sores in your stomach and intestinal lining. Excess stomach acid can also cause heartburn.

Omeprazole is prescribed together with certain antibiotics, including amoxicillin and clarithromycin (Cipro) for treating H. pylori infection. H. pylori refers to a bacterial infection that damages your stomach’s protective lining.

Common questions about omeprazole

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about omeprazole oral capsule.

How does omeprazole compare with other similar drugs, such as pantoprazole or esomeprazole?

Omeprazole, pantoprazole (Protonix), esomeprazole (Nexium), and lansoprazole (Prevacid) are all proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs. These drugs work the same way, and are used to treat some of the same conditions.

Omeprazole, lansoprazole, and esomeprazole are available over-the-counter (OTC), as well as with a prescription. But pantoprazole is only available with a prescription.

Other drugs that are similar to omeprazole include famotidine (Pepcid AC) and ranitidine. These drugs are available with or without a prescription.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you’d like to learn more about how omeprazole compares with other drugs that may treat your condition.

When should I take my omeprazole dose? Is there a best time of day?

There’s no best time of day to take omeprazole oral capsule. However, it’s best to take omeprazole right before a meal. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

If you miss an omeprazole dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take more than one dose of omeprazole at once.

Does omeprazole cause long-term side effects?

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

Examples of long-term side effects include:

• a kidney problem called sudden tubulointerstitial nephritis
• bone fractures
• low blood magnesium level
• low vitamin B12 level

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to best manage them. You can also ask them how long these side effects of omeprazole may last.

Is weight gain or cancer a possible side effect of omeprazole?

No, neither weight gain nor cancer was reported in omeprazole’s studies.

However, there have been reports of weight gain in people taking omeprazole since the drug was approved for use. These reports happened outside of clinical studies. So, it’s not known for certain whether omeprazole or other factors caused weight gain. Changes in body weight are often a result of more than one factor.

There have also been reports of stomach or intestinal tumors in people using omeprazole long term to treat Zollinger-Ellison (ZE) syndrome. However, stomach and intestinal tumors are known to occur with ZE syndrome. So, it’s thought that the condition caused the tumors, not omeprazole.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns about weight gain or cancer, and whether any of your medications could cause either side effect.

How does omeprazole work? And how long does it take to start working?

Omeprazole belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). It works by reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes.

Omeprazole often begins working within 1 to 4 days to treat symptoms such as heartburn. But it may take several weeks to relieve your symptoms.

Talk with your doctor or a pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about how omeprazole works, including how long it takes to work for your condition.

Can omeprazole capsules be crushed, split, or chewed?

No, you should not crush, split, or chew omeprazole capsules. Omeprazole capsules should be swallowed whole.

You can open omeprazole capsules and sprinkle the pellets (the capsule’s contents) onto one tablespoon of applesauce. The pellets should be mixed into the applesauce and consumed right away, followed by a full glass of water. Do not chew the pellet mixture.

If you’re struggling to swallow omeprazole capsules, talk with your pharmacist or doctor. They may suggest using another form of omeprazole that may be easier to take, such as omeprazole disintegrating tablets. (Omeprazole disintegrating tablets dissolve in your mouth without water.)

Dosage of omeprazole

The dosage of omeprazole oral capsule your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take and how to take it.

Taking omeprazole

Omeprazole oral capsule is taken by mouth.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take omeprazole oral capsule. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Omeprazole oral capsule should be taken with food, just before a meal.

See the “Common questions about omeprazole” section for information on missed doses and the best time to take this drug.

Overdose of omeprazole

You should not take more omeprazole than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much omeprazole, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and omeprazole

Information about omeprazole and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Omeprazole and pregnancy

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

Omeprazole and breastfeeding

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

Interactions of omeprazole

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take omeprazole, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. They can check for interactions these items may cause with omeprazole. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for omeprazole” section below.

Warnings for omeprazole

Omeprazole should not be taken or should be taken cautiously by certain people. Precautions for taking this drug are described below.

Warnings

Omeprazole could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether omeprazole oral capsule is a safe option for you.

Tell your doctor about your overall health and any past health conditions before you use omeprazole oral capsules. Health conditions and other factors you and your doctor should discuss include:

• liver condition, such as alcohol-related fatty liver disease
• low blood calcium, magnesium, or potassium level
• low vitamin B12 level

Allergic reaction

Omeprazole can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to omeprazole or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe omeprazole. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to omeprazole, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Omeprazole coupon

You may be able to save money on your prescription for omeprazole oral capsule by using our Perks discount coupons. These can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for omeprazole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more about the cost of omeprazole in this article.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes omeprazole oral capsule’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about omeprazole or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Can omeprazole be used for gastritis?
• How does omeprazole compare to other drugs that can be used for my condition?
• Am I at a higher risk of side effects from omeprazole based on my health history?
• Should I make dietary changes while taking omeprazole?
• If I’m still having heartburn symptoms after taking omeprazole for several weeks, what are my treatment options?

Article resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Omeprazole- omeprazole capsule, delayed release. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/5bda70ae-c3f6-450b-892f-6814795dd6ca/spl-doc

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.