Prescription Strength Prilosec - Online Doctor Consultations Through AccessMedNet

This medication inhibits the production of stomach acid, allowing for healing of acid reflux conditions and ulcers. It's use in the morning intercepts the production of the enzymes that stimulate stomach acid production at its peak. When patients test positive for H. pylori infection, Prilosec should be accompanied by Biaxin (clarithromycin) to ensure complete treatment of the cause of the problem.

Usually Treats: acid reflux, duodenal ulcer, dyspepsia, endocrine adenoma, erosive esophagitis, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, high stomach acid, and stomach ulcer.

Other Uses: asthma, resistant hiccups, stomach bleeding, ulcerative colitis, ulcer caused by NSAID use.

Prilosec Side Effects

Potential Side Effects: Increase in likelihood of gastroenteritis. Speak to your doctor if you feel feverish, have excess mucous production, or get recurring diarrhea.

Mild Side Effects: allergy (itching, rash), constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, indigestion, muscle pain, nausea or vomiting, ringing in ears.

Rare and Serious Side Effects: allergy (anaphylactic shock, kidney damage), anemia, angina, bone marrow depression (bleeding and bruising, fatigue, cold-like symptoms, unusual infections), chest pain, facial pain, hypoglycemia, kidney inflammation, liver damage and jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin), yeast infection. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect any of these symptoms, or if you feel unusually unwell after starting this medication. Any severe reaction should be brought to the attention of emergency medical personnel.

Cautions: This medication may not be suitable for everyone, and some individuals may require special precautions or dosage adjustments in order to make their treatment safe and effective. Alert your doctor to any of the following conditions, or any history of them.

• Allergy: If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, you should not take it. If you develop one while using it, you will have to discontinue use immediately. Also, inform your physician of any food or dye allergies.
• Blood Cell or Bone Marrow Disorder: Do not use this medication if your condition is active. If you have had one of these illnesses in the past, speak to your doctor about precautions and treatment options.
• Liver Disease or Impairment: Speak to your doctor about appropriate dosages, avoid alcohol.
• Other Medication: If you take any anticoagulant, such as Coumadin (warfarin), Dilantin (phenytoin), or Valium (diazepam), speak to your doctor about dosage adjustments or scheduling.

Prescription Strength Prilosec - Online Doctor Consultations Through AccessMedNet

Prilosec should not be mixed with all prescription or over the counter medications as there could be undesirable interactions. However, with some drugs that interact with your treatment, it will be enough to change the dosage of either Prilosec or the other medication. Always check with both the prescribing physician and pharmacist to verify that the medications you use will not interact adversely.

• Alcohol stimulates stomach acid, and while it will not interact with the medication directly, it may make it less effective.
• Ampicillin - May be less effective when used with Prilosec.
• Antacids - These may be used to reduce pain, but speak to your doctor about proper use and dosage. Some individuals should not combine Prilosec with antacids.
• Anticoagulants like Coumadin (warfarin) may build up in the body and cause increased bleeding unless more frequent INR testing and careful dosage adjustments are maintained.
• Azole antifungals - Drugs like Diflucan (fluconazole), Nizoral (ketoconazole), and Sporanox (itraconazole), may be less effective when mixed with Prilosec.
• Antabuse (disulfiram) - Effects may be increased.
• Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents, sleep medications, and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan (lorazepam), Dalmane (flurazepam), Valium (diazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide), Restoril (temazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Versed (midazolam), and others, may have their effects increased by combined treatment. Your doctor may decrease your dose.
• Dilantin (phenytoin) - Effects may be increased.
• Iron supplements - May be less effective.
• Lanoxin (digoxin) - May build up to toxic levels.
• Lescol (fluvastatin) - May build up in the body.
• Pletal (cilostazol) - Lower doses are recommended if these medications are to be used together.
• Rheumatrex (methotrexate) - Effects may be increased.
• Sandimmune (cyclosporine) - Sandimmune levels may fluctuate unpredictably, most commonly increasing.
• Tegretol (carbamazepine) - Effects may be increased.
• Zyprexa (olanzapine) - May be less effective.

The following dosage recommendations are guidelines only. If your doctor should prescribe a different amount, or if you should have different instructions on your prescription label, follow those instructions instead.

• Dyspepsia: 10 mg - 20mg once daily for four weeks.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux: 20 mg - 40 mg once daily for four to eight weeks.
• High Stomach Acid: 60 mg once daily for as long as prescribed.
• Ulcers, Duodenal: 20 mg - 40 mg once daily for as long as prescribed.
• Ulcers, Gastric: 40 mg once daily for four to eight weeks.
• Ulcers, Infection with H. pylori: 40 mg once daily for two weeks, 20 mg once daily for two additional weeks. This treatment will be in combination with clarithromycin, generally in doses of 500 mg, three times daily for two weeks. Your doctor will further advise you about other cautions to take during combination therapy.

Your medication should be taken directly before eating, with the best time being 15-30 minutes before the first meal of the day. Take the capsules whole, without opening or crushing them.

Take Prilosec as soon as you remember if you should forget a dose, but don't double doses. If it's almost time for your next dose, skipped the missed amount. Speak to your doctor if you find that you forget to take your medication frequently.

This medication may occasionally cause some confusion or dizziness, especially if you are over 50. Do not engage in potentially hazardous activities until you are familiar with your reaction to the medication.

Store Prilosec away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.

Keep Prilosec away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding any unused medication.

Prilosec and Pregnancy

This medication should be avoided during pregnancy, as adequate studies in humans are not available. Animal testing did not indicate birth defects, but there were cases of fetal toxicity in some trials.

Prilosec should not be used while breastfeeding.

Prilosec and Children

This medication has not been proven to be safe or effective in individuals under 12 years of age. A doctor must determine the dose for anyone under 18 on a case-by-case basis.

Prilosec and Seniors

This drug is eliminated from the body at a slower rate in individuals over 60 years of age. This increases the effectiveness of smaller doses, which also cut the risk of undesirable side effects.

The recommended dose limit is 20 mg daily.

Prescription Strength Prilosec - Online Doctor Consultations Through AccessMedNet

Prilosec is a trademark of Astra Zeneca LP

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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.