Digestive Health & Nausea > Prilosec (Generic)

Generic Prilosec (omeprazole) belongs to a group of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Omeprazole decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Generic Prilosec is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions caused by excess stomach acid. It is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).

Generic Prilosec may also be given together with antibiotics to treat gastric ulcer caused by infection with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Take this medication orally, usually once daily, 15 to 30 minutes before a meal; or as directed by your doctor. The dosage and length of treatment is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not crush or chew the medication. Swallow the medication whole. If you take sucralfate in addition to this medication, take your dose of omeprazole at least 30 minutes before your sucralfate.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Generic Prilosec: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms of low magnesium:

• dizziness, confusion;
• fast or uneven heart rate;
• jerking muscle movements;
• feeling jittery;
• diarrhea that is watery or bloody;
• muscle cramps, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
• cough or choking feeling; or
• seizure (convulsions).

Less serious Generic Prilosec side effects may include:

• fever;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
• stomach pain, gas;
• nausea, vomiting, mild diarrhea; or
• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

This medication can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, stop taking Prilosec and call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• ampicillin (Principen, Unasyn);
• cilostazol (Pletal);
• clopidogrel (Plavix);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
• diazepam (Valium);
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• disulfiram (Antabuse);
• iron (Feosol, Mol-Iron, Fergon, Femiron,others);
• phenytoin (Dilantin);
• rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate);
• tacrolimus (Prograf);
• antifungal medicine such as ketoconazole (Nizoral) or voriconazole (Vfend);
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
• a diuretic (water pill); or
• HIV or AIDS medications such as atazanavir (Reyataz), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Generic Prilosec.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.