Pronunciation: oh-MEP-ra-zole/SOE-dee-um bye-KAR-bo-nate
Generic Name: Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate
Brand Name: Examples include Zegerid and Zegerid OTC
Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate is used for:
Treating heartburn or irritation of the esophagus caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It may also be used for short-term treatment of ulcers of the stomach or small intestine. It may also be used to decrease the risk of stomach bleeding in severely ill patients. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and sodium bicarbonate combination. The PPI works by decreasing the amount of acid produced in the stomach. The sodium bicarbonate works by slowing the breakdown of the PPI in the stomach, which helps to increase absorption of the PPI.
Do NOT use Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate
- you have low blood calcium levels or metabolic alkalosis
- you are taking dasatinib, certain HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir, nelfinavir), rifampin, or St. John's wort.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate:
Some medical conditions may interact with Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have trouble or pain swallowing food; black, tarry, or bloody stools; or vomit that looks like blood or coffee grounds
- if you have had heartburn for more than 3 months
- if you have heartburn with lightheadedness, sweating, or dizziness
- if you have frequent chest pain, frequent wheezing (especially with heartburn), unexplained weight loss, nausea or vomiting, or stomach pain
- if you have chest or shoulder pain with shortness of breath; sweating; pain spreading to the arms, neck, or shoulders; or lightheadedness
- if you are on a low-salt (sodium) diet
- if you have liver problems, stomach or bowel cancer, or undiagnosed bleeding from the rectum
- if you have Bartter syndrome, low blood potassium or magnesium levels, acid-base balance problems, or respiratory alkalosis
- if you have osteoporosis (weak bones), a family history of osteoporosis, or other risk factors for osteoporosis (eg, smoking, poor nutrition)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood magnesium levels may be increased
- Voriconazole because it may increase the risk of Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate's side effects
- Ginkgo biloba, rifampin, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate's effectiveness
- Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin), benzodiazepines (eg, diazepam), cilostazol, cyclosporine, digoxin, disulfiram, phenytoin, saquinavir, or tacrolimus because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate
- Ampicillins, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), clopidogrel, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, atazanavir , nelfinavir), iron, mycophenolate, or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (eg, dasatinib, erlotinib) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate:
Use Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating.
- Take Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL). Do not take Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate with other liquids.
- Swallow Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Do not open the capsule and sprinkle the contents on food.
- You may take antacids while you are using Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate if you are directed to do so by your doctor.
- If you miss a dose of Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate.
Important safety information:
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Contact your doctor if you have any signs of a bleeding ulcer, such as black, tarry stools or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or if you experience throat pain, chest pain, severe stomach pain, or trouble swallowing.
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate may increase the risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures in patients with weak bones (osteoporosis). The risk may be greater if you use Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate in high doses, for longer than a year, or if you are over 50 years old. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Contact your doctor if you have any questions about this information.
- Low blood magnesium levels have been reported rarely in patients taking PPIs for at least 3 months. In most cases, this effect was seen after a year of treatment. If you will be taking Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate for a long time, or if you take certain other medicines (eg, digoxin, diuretics), your doctor may perform lab tests to check for low blood magnesium levels. Seek medical attention right away if you experience symptoms of low blood magnesium levels (eg, dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; involuntary muscle movements; jitteriness or tremors; muscle aches, cramps, pain, spasms, or weakness; seizures).
- Check with your doctor to see whether you should take a calcium and vitamin D supplement while you use Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate.
- Certain brands of Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate may only be taken for a 14-day course once every 4 months unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Contact your doctor if you have any questions about this information.
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate has sodium in it. Include this when you count your daily intake of sodium.
- Long-term use of Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate with calcium or milk may cause milk-alkali syndrome. Check with your doctor before you take calcium supplements or antacids that contain calcium or drink milk while you are taking Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate.
- Both strengths of Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate contain the same amount of sodium bicarbonate. Therefore, if your doctor has prescribed the 40 mg dose, do not take 2 of the 20 mg capsules to make a 40 mg dose.
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate.
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate should be used with extreme caution in Asian patients; the risk of side effects may be increased in these patients.
- Use Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially hip, wrist, and spine fractures.
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate while you are pregnant. Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate.
Possible side effects of Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; gas; headache; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bone pain; chest pain; dark urine; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe diarrhea; severe stomach pain or cramps; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or sudden weight increase; unusual tiredness; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; confusion; fast heartbeat; flushing; increased sweating; seizures; severe headache, drowsiness, or nausea; vomiting.
Proper storage of Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate:
Store Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate resources
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate Side Effects (in more detail)
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate Drug Interactions
- Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate Support Group
- 15 Reviews for Omeprazole/Sodium Bicarbonate - Add your own review/rating
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