Advice to patients (13) Omeprazole capsules
- Omeprazole acts to reduce the production of acid in the stomach. It is usually used to treat ulcers in the stomach and intestine, or bad heartburn.
- The capsules are generally taken once each day and should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. If you find the capsules difficult to swallow, you can open them and mix the contents with fruit juice or yogurt.
- Like all medicines, this one can have some unwanted effects. For omeprazole, these include headache, diarrhoea and skin rashes. Tell your doctor if any side effect is troublesome or persistent.
- Problems occasionally occur if omeprazole is taken with other medicines. Are you taking any other medicines?
- When supplied in bottles It is important that you keep the capsules in their original container and put the cap back after use, so they don't go off. Once opened, the medicine should be used within three months.
This series of "advice tips" on commonly used drugs is written by
pharmacists from the Sussex Pharmacy Academic Practice Unit. It is intended
as a reminder of points to be made by pharmacists as they hand out dispensed
medicines. The list is not intended to be comprehensive but to cover some important
points.
By Carina and Duncan Livingstone
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