Omepral 20mg Capsule

Omepral 20mg capsule contains omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). Made by Amson Vaccines & Pharma (Pvt) Ltd. Pack of 14 capsules. Prescription only.

Uses

Omeprazole shuts down the acid pumps in the stomach lining, so acid output drops within an hour and stays low for most of the day. It is prescribed for:

• GERD (acid reflux): heartburn, sour taste, acid coming up into the throat.
• Stomach and duodenal ulcers: healing and keeping them from returning.
• H. pylori infection: taken with two antibiotics as triple therapy.
• Reflux oesophagitis: healing acid damage to the food pipe.
• NSAID protection: for people on long term painkillers like diclofenac or ibuprofen.
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: rare tumours that cause heavy acid production.

Dosage

Follow the prescription. Standard adult ranges:

• GERD, heartburn: 20mg once daily, 4 to 8 weeks.
• Duodenal ulcer: 20mg once daily, 2 to 4 weeks.
• Stomach ulcer: 20mg once daily, 4 to 8 weeks.
• H. pylori: 20mg twice daily for 7 to 14 days with antibiotics.
• NSAID protection: 20mg once daily while on the painkiller.
• Zollinger-Ellison: starts at 60mg daily, adjusted by the doctor.

No dose change for kidney patients. Severe liver disease usually caps the dose at 20mg daily.

How To Take

• Take 30 to 60 minutes before a meal, usually breakfast. It works on active acid pumps, so an empty stomach before food gives the best result.
• Swallow whole with water. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsule, the granules inside are enteric coated to survive stomach acid.
• Take at the same time each day.
• Missed dose: take it when remembered unless the next one is close, never double up.
• Do not stop suddenly after long use, acid can rebound worse than before. Doctors usually taper it or switch to as-needed dosing.

Side Effects

Common, mostly mild:

• Headache.
• Nausea, stomach pain, gas.
• Diarrhoea or constipation.
• Dizziness.

Long term use (over a year) raises the chance of:

• Low magnesium (cramps, tremor, irregular heartbeat).
• Vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Bone fractures of hip, wrist, or spine.
• Gut infections such as C. difficile.

Stop and get medical help for:

• Rash with fever or joint pain (possible lupus-like reaction).
• Blood in urine, less urine, or swelling of legs (kidney inflammation).
• Severe watery diarrhoea that does not stop.
• Swelling of face or throat, trouble breathing.

Precautions

• Alarm symptoms first: unexplained weight loss, trouble swallowing, vomiting blood, or black stools need investigation before starting a PPI, since omeprazole can mask stomach cancer.
• Liver disease: lower dose may be needed.
• Osteoporosis: discuss calcium and vitamin D if use will be long.
• Pregnancy: omeprazole is widely used in pregnancy without known harm, still on a doctor’s advice only.
• Breastfeeding: small amounts pass into milk, considered compatible.
• Children: dose by weight under a doctor’s care.

Interactions

• Clopidogrel: omeprazole weakens its blood thinning effect, doctors usually switch to pantoprazole.
• Warfarin: can raise INR, monitoring needed.
• Diazepam, phenytoin: levels may rise.
• Methotrexate: levels may rise on high dose methotrexate.
• Iron, ketoconazole, itraconazole: absorption drops because they need stomach acid.
• Antiretrovirals (atazanavir, rilpivirine): avoid together.
• St John’s Wort, rifampicin: lower omeprazole levels.

Storage

Keep in the original strip below 30°C, away from moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children.

Pack And Price

One pack of 14 capsules. Listed at roughly Rs 130 to 145 across pharmacies, exact price on the product page. Omeprazole is heavily copied in Pakistan, so buy from a verified pharmacy such as Ailaaj.

Before You Order

• Prescription in hand.
• Check the course length, 14 capsules covers two weeks of once daily use.
• Know whether you take clopidogrel, warfarin, or HIV medicines.
• If you have had reflux symptoms for months with no diagnosis, see a doctor before self treating.

Information only, not a replacement for medical advice.