Question

a primary health-care provider prescribes the proton-pump inhibitor Omeprazole(prilosec). The order states to take 20 mg once a day. Which instruction should the nurse give the patient regarding this medication?

Answer 1

Firstly, the health care provider must make sure if the patient is a known case of cardiac disease or stroke. And is on daily medication like clopidogrel or aspirin, is a drug that discourages the formation of artery-clogging blood clots and is rough on the gastrointestinal lining.The trouble is that PPIs and omeprazole in particular inhibit an enzyme called CYP2C19 that's crucial to one of the metabolic steps that activates clopidogrel and its effects. Hence, patients taking clopidogrel should avoid taking omeprazole because they may cut clopidogrel's effectiveness in half.

Omeprazole 20mg Capsules is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. Side effects such as dizziness and visual disturbances may occur. If affected, you should not drive or operate machinery.

It is recommended to take the capsules in the morning.

Capsules can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

Swallow the capsules whole with half a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the capsules. This is because the capsules contain coated pellets which stop the medicine from being broken down by the acid in your stomach. It is important not to damage the pellets.

If a dose is forgotten then, take it as soon as its remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If the following rare but serious side effects are seen, then stop taking Omeprazole 20mg Capsules and contact the doctor immediately:

• Sudden wheezing, swelling of lips, tongue and throat or body, rash, fainting or difficulties in swallowing (severe allergic reaction).
• Reddening of the skin with blisters or peeling. There may also be severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals – this could be ‘Stevens-Johnson Syndrome’ or ‘toxic epidermal necrolysis’.
• Yellow skin, dark urine and tiredness which can be symptoms of liver problems.

Also inform the common side effects:

• Headache.
• Effects on the stomach or gut: diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, wind (flatulence).
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting).
• Benign polyps in the stomach

If there is an infection with symptoms such as fever with a severely reduced general condition or fever with symptoms of a local infection such as pain in the neck, throat or mouth or difficulties in urinating, then report to the doctor as soon as possible so that a lack of white blood cells (agranulocytosis) can be ruled out by a blood test.

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the pack after EXP.