Omeprazole Side Effects

I want to know about the long-term side effects of the drug, omeprazole.

Omeprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach. It is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or heartburn), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor if you have ever had any type of liver disease. You may not be able to take omeprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring.

Do not use omeprazole over-the-counter (OTC Prilosec), without first talking to your health care provider if you have
· Difficulty or pain on swallowing;
vomiting of blood ·;
· Bloody or black;
· Had heartburn for more than three months;
With stainless heartburn sweating, dizziness, lightheadedness, chest, shoulders, neck, jaw or arm pain;
· Pain Chest frequent;
Heartburn · with wheezing;
· Loss unexplained weight
· or nausea vomiting, or
stomach pain ·.
Your doctor should evaluate your condition before taking omeprazole over-the-counter (OTC Prilosec) if you have one of the conditions listed above.

Omeprazole is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means it is not known whether omeprazole will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take omeprazole without first talking to your doctor if you (women) are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known if omeprazole passes into breast milk.

If you have an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of throat, swelling of lips, tongue, or face, or hives), stop taking omeprazole and seek emergency medical care.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take omeprazole and talk to your doctor if you experience
· drowsiness dizziness, headaches or;
diarrhea · increased gas or bloating, or
itching ·.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking omeprazole, tell your doctor if you take one of the following
· The warfarin (Coumadin);
· The digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
· A drug against insomnia or anxiety such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), temazepam (Restoril), clorazepate (Tranxene), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and other ;
· The cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);
· The phenytoin (Dilantin);
· Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others);
· The itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral);
· The ampicillin (Omnipen, Principen), or
· Iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron, other).
You may not be able to take omeprazole, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any medications listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with omeprazole. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or nonprescription drugs, including vitamins, minerals and herbal products.

ADRAC (Australian Adverse Drug Reaction - Therapeutic Goods Administration) has received 19 reports (13 women) describing the musculoskeletal problems associated with omeprazole. Ages ranged from 43-91 (median 55) years. Of the 16 patients for whom information was available, 14 to 20 mg per day, 2 took 40 mg and the onset of symptoms occurred on the first day and as late as 12 months after the start of omeprazole . Eight reports documented joint pain and / or swelling, including the drop in two cases (one of which was confirmed by rechallenge). Nine reports desc.