Omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate (By mouth)

Introduction

Omeprazole (oh-MEP-ra-zole), Sodium Bicarbonate (SOE-dee-um bye-KAR-bo-nate)

Treats heartburn, stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other damage to the esophagus. This medicine also helps prevent stomach bleeding in patients who have a serious illness. This medicine is a combination of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and an antacid.

Brand Name(s)

Zegerid

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

How to Use This Medicine

Capsule, Packet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take this medicine on an empty stomach, 1 hour before you eat. Do not stop taking this medicine sooner than your doctor recommends, even if you feel better. Take this medicine only as directed.
  • Powder: Mix the powder with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water in a small cup and drink this mixture right away. Do not mix with other liquids or foods. Refill the cup with more water and drink it to make sure you get all of the medicine.
  • Capsule: Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not mix with other liquids. Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. Do not open the capsule and sprinkle the contents into food.
  • Feeding tube:Patients with feeding tubes should not receive food for 3 hours before and 1 hour after administration of Zegerid®.
    • Open the packet and mix the powder into about 20 mL of water. Stir or shake well. Do not mix with other liquids or foods.
    • Immediately administer the mixture into the feeding tube with an appropriately sized syringe.
    • All 20 mL of the mixture should be flushed through the tube. Refill the container you used to mix the medicine and administer the mixture, to make sure all of the medicine is given to the patient.
• Do not substitute 20-milligram packets or capsules with 40-milligram packet or capsules.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using ampicillin (Principen®, Unasyn®), clarithromycin (Biaxin®), cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or voriconazole (Vfend®). Also, tell your doctor if you are using disulfiram (Antabuse®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), an iron supplement, or a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), or a tranquilizer such as diazepam (Valium®) or alprazolam (Xanax®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using clopidogrel (Plavix®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), or a diuretic or water pill (such as bumetanide, chlorothiazide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], indapamide, metolazone, torsemide, Bumex®, Demadex®, Diuril®, Edecrin®, Lasix®, Lozol®, or Zaroxolyn®). Tell your doctor if you are also using medicine to treat HIV or AIDS, such as nelfinavir (Viracept®), saquinavir (Fortovase®, Invirase®), atazanavir (Reyataz®), or ritonavir.
• Tell your doctor if you take calcium supplements on a regular basis.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also tell your doctor if you have kidney problems (such as Bartter syndrome), liver disease, bone problems (such as osteoporosis), or congestive heart failure. Your doctor will also need to know if you have a history of low levels of calcium, potassium, or magnesium in your blood.
• Asian people may react differently to this medicine.
• This medicine may increase your risk of breaking a bone in your hip, wrist, or spine. This is more likely if you take it more than once a day or use it for longer than 1 year.
• You may begin to have more digestive problems if you take this medicine long-term. You may also notice swelling and weight gain. Talk with your doctor about any concerns.
• This medicine may cause hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood). This is more likely to occur if you take this medicine for more than 1 year, or if you take this medicine together with digoxin (Lanoxin®) or certain diuretics (water pills). Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have seizures, dizziness, a fast or pounding heartbeat, or muscle spasms or tremors.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet. This medicine contains sodium.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate, pain when you urinate, fever, lower back or side pain
• Fast, slow, uneven, or pounding heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Seizures, muscle spasms, or tremors
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain or upset

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088