What are the risks of taking Prilosec (omeprazole)?

What should I tell my doctor before starting Prilosec (omeprazole)?

Tell your health care professional your complete health history and medical conditions—Prilosec may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions such as liver disease, osteoporosis, or autoimmune diseases like lupus. 

Also, tell your doctor about all your prescription and OTC medications, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you take or plan to take—this can help avoid serious drug interactions. 

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to omeprazole or other proton pump inhibitors such as esomeprazole (Nexium), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), or pantoprazole (Protonix). 

What precautions should I take while on Prilosec (omeprazole)?

Be compliant with routine checkups. Your doctor may order blood tests to keep an eye on your health while you’re on Prilosec, especially if you have severe diarrhea.

Tell your doctor if you are of Asian descent, have had low magnesium or vitamin B12 levels in the past, have been diagnosed with autoimmune conditions such as lupus, or have brittle bones (osteoporosis).

Tell your doctor if your heartburn symptoms last longer than three months if you plan to take OTC Prilosec. Be vigilant for symptoms such as lightheadedness, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, nausea, vomiting (especially blood-tinged vomit), and black tarry stools, along with heartburn. These symptoms may be indicative of a more serious condition that cannot be treated with over-the-counter Prilosec. 

Call your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you experience symptoms such as blurred vision, confusion, flushing, headache, sweating, rash, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, or throat, severe stomach pain, or diarrhea.

What drugs can interact with Prilosec (omeprazole)?

Taking Prilosec (omeprazole) with some other medications can affect its efficacy. Drug interactions can also increase the risk of serious adverse effects. Your physician may choose a different medication for heartburn, GERD, and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid to avoid drug interactions. Alternatively, they may decide to change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

Using Prilosec with the following medications is contraindicated:

• rilpivirine
• nelfinavir
• erlotinib

There can also be interactions between Prilosec and medicines such as:

• rifampin
• clopidogrel
• methotrexate
• St John’s Wort

This list does not describe all possible Prilosec interactions. Give your health care provider a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Also, tell your health care provider if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications or increase the risk of side effects.