Actual product may differ in appearance from image shown.

Chemical Name: PRILOSEC
 
Common applications

This medication is a proton pump inhibitor, which can be used to treat various medical conditions, such as heartburn, ulcers, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It acts by blocking the stomach's natural acid production. The medicine is commonly used in combination with antibiotics, in order to deal with certain types of ulcers. A doctor may prescribe it to treat other conditions as well.

Precautions

If you're using certain types of medications, you may need to monitor your dose specifically to avoid any complications. Those medications include ampicillin, cilostazol, cyclosporine, diazepam, digoxin, disulfiram, iron, itraconazole, ketoconazole, moclobemide, phenytoin, sucralfate, vorconizole, or warfarin.

This medicine should only be used by a doctor's prescription. Do not initiate a treatment process involving this, or similar medicines or you could suffer harmful consequences. Your doctor should be informed of any medical conditions you have - especially problems with the stomach, liver and kidneys. Women in pregnancy as well as those who're breastfeeding should also mention that to their doctors.

Instructions

To determine the dosage, follow the instructions provided to you by your doctor. The pill should be swallowed whole - do not attempt to chew on it, or crush it beforehand. If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you may open it and sprinkle the contents on some applesauce. After ingesting the medicine and/or applesauce, drink a glass of cool water to help push the medicine through your digestive tract easier.

The medicine should be taken before a meal, although your doctor may instruct you differently. Acid-reducing medications can interfere with Prilosec badly and prevent it from working properly. Antifungals can have the same effect, and in general it's best to avoid treatment with this medication if you're already undergoing therapy with one of those.

If your doctor has instructed you to take the medicines together, it's best to leave a small window of at least half an hour between the two medicines, so that your body can best absorb both of them.

The medicine should be stored in a dry, cool place at room temperature, in a tightly closed container. Doses should not be missed. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, unless the next one is coming up shortly - in this case, skip the dose altogether and just wait for the next one. Do not take extra dosage to compensate for missed ones.

Warnings

Do not drive a vehicle or operate dangerous machinery while under the effects of this medication. Alcohol may further increase your inability to cope with such situations, so limit its use accordingly.

It's important to stick to your appointments with your doctor when using the medicine. Do not miss out on any of them. Keep your doctor up to date on your condition, and always tell him/her if something changes, be it for the better or worse.

Side effects

Some side effects may manifest themselves during the course of your treatment, namely a headache, constipation, dizziness, or rashes. Normally, they should go away shortly after the treatment is over. In some rare cases, they may continue for prolonged periods of time.

In this case, contact a doctor immediately. It's unlikely that you may experience an allergic reaction to this medication, but in case you do, seek medical attention right away.

Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose with this medication can range from blurred vision, increased heartbeat, sweating, and a sense of confusion. If you suspect you may have overdosed, contact your local emergency ward quickly.

Final notes

After starting your treatment with this medicine, you should see improvement in four to eight weeks. If you do not see any positive changes in your medical condition, consult your doctor to determine what's holding you back in your treatment. Sometimes it's as easy as a simple dosage adjustment. Other times, you may need a complete change of treatment course. Whatever the problem is, there's always a solution and your doctor will know it.