omeprazole

Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some of the common questions people ask about Omepro-GA. It does not contain all the information that is known about Omepro-GA.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor will have weighed the risks of you taking Omepro-GA against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What Omepro-GA is used for

Reflux Oesophagitis

Omepro-GA is used to treat the symptoms of reflux oesophagitis or reflux disease. This can be caused by “washing back” (reflux) of food and acid from the stomach into the food pipe (oesophagus).

Reflux can cause a burning sensation in the chest rising up to the throat, also known as heartburn.

Omepro-GA is also taken to help stop reflux oesophagitis coming back or relapsing.

Peptic Ulcers

Omepro-GA is used to treat peptic ulcers. Depending on the position of the ulcer it is called a gastric or duodenal ulcer. A gastric ulcer occurs in the stomach. A duodenal ulcer occurs in the duodenum which is the tube leading out from the stomach.

These ulcers can be caused by too much acid being made in the stomach.

Omepro-GA is also used to help stop gastric or duodenal ulcers coming back.

Peptic Ulcers Associated with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Most people who have a peptic ulcer also have a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori in their stomach.

When Omepro-GA is taken with antibiotics, they work to kill the bacterium and let your ulcer heal. You may need further treatment with antibiotics.

Peptic Ulcers Associated with Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Some peptic ulcers are caused by taking medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a type of medicine used to treat pain or inflammation.

Omepro-GA is also used to heal and prevent ulcers associated with NSAIDs.

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome

Omepro-GA is also used to treat a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, where the stomach produces large amounts of acid, much more than in ulcers or reflux disease.

How Omepro-GA Works

Omepro-GA is a type of medicine called a proton-pump inhibitor. It works by decreasing the amount of acid made by the stomach, to give relief of symptoms and allow healing to take place. This does not stop food being digested in the normal way.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine for another reason.

There is no evidence that Omepro-GA is addictive.

This medicine is only available on prescription.

Before you take Omepro-GA

When you must not take it

Do not take Omepro-GA if you have an allergy to:

• omeprazole or any ingredient listed at the end of this leaflet
• any medicine containing a proton-pump inhibitor

Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take Pharmacor Omeprazol if you are also taking cilostazol. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking cilostazol. This medicine will be affected by Omepro-GA.

Do not take Omepro-GA after the use by (expiry) date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.

If you are not sure whether you should take this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it

You must tell your doctor if you have:

• allergies to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
• any problems with your liver
• any other medical conditions
• been diagnosed with osteoporosis
• if you have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with a medicine similar to Omepro-GA that reduces stomach acid

Do not take Omepro-GA if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor says so. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits involved. It is not known if it is safe for you to take Omepro-GA while you are pregnant. It may affect your baby.

It is not known if your baby can take in Omepro-GA from breast milk if you are breastfeeding.

Taking other medicines

Do not take Omepro-GA if you are taking the following medicine:

• cilostazol – a medicine used to treat intermittent claudication

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with Omepro-GA capsules. These include:

• phenytoin – a medicine used to treat epilepsy or fits
• warfarin & clopidogrel – medicines used to prevent blood clots
• digoxin – a medicine used to treat heart conditions
• diazepam – a medicine used to treat anxiety and some other conditions
• St John’s Wort – a herbal remedy used to treat mood disorders
• ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole – medicines used to treat fungal infection
• clarithromycin or rifampicin – medicines used to treat infections
• atazanavir and nelfinavir – medicines used to treat viral infections such as HIV
• tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil – medicines used to assist in organ transplants
• methotrexate – a medicine used to treat arthritis and some types of cancer
• erlotinib or related medicines used to treat cancer

These medicines may be affected by Omepro-GA or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor can tell you what to do if you are taking any other medicines.

Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.

If you have not told your doctor about any of these things, tell them before you take Omepro-GA.

How to take Omepro-GA

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How to take it

Take one Omepro-GA capsule each day, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

The dose for Omepro-GA varies from patient to patient. Your doctor will decide the right dose for you.

Swallow the capsules with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the capsules. If the granules or pellets contained in the capsules are crushed or chewed, they will not work properly.

When to take it

Take each dose of Omepro-GA at about the same time each day.

Keeping a regular time for taking Omepro-GA will help to remind you to take it.

Omepro-GA can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

How long to take it

Keep taking Omepro-GA for as long as your doctor recommends. In most patients, Omepro-GA relieves symptoms rapidly and healing is usually complete within 4 weeks. Continue taking Omepro-GA for as long as your doctor tells you to.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally.

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (Overdose)

Telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital immediately if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Omepro-GA even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

While you are taking Omepro-GA

Things you must do

Take Omepro-GA exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

If you are about to start any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Omepro-GA.

Tell all doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Omepro-GA.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while you are taking Omepro-GA.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms return. Although Omepro-GA can heal ulcers successfully, it may not prevent them recurring at a later date.

If you need to have any medical tests while you are taking Omepro-GA, tell your doctor. It may affect the results of some tests.

Things you must not do

Do not take Omepro-GA to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking it suddenly or change the dose, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects.

Side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Omepro-GA.

All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

• constipation
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhoea
• headache
• skin rash, itchy skin
• wind
• stomach pain
• dizziness
• dry or sore mouth

These side effects are usually mild.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• muscle pain or weakness, joint pain
• “pins and needles”
• changes in sleep patterns
• mood changes, confusion or depression
• blurred vision
• increase in breast size (males)
• fever
• increased bruising
• increased sweating
• hair loss
• tremor

These are serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital.

• swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in breathing
• shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
• skin reaction which may include rash, itching, redness, blistering or peeling of the skin
• ulcers, blisters or bleeding of the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
• blood in urine
• swelling of feet, hands and ankles
• signs of liver inflammation including yellowing of the skin or eyes, feeling generally unwell, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• skin reaction, especially in sun-exposed areas, with joint pain

These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.

Occasionally, Omepro-GA may be associated with changes in your liver or blood, which may require your doctor to do certain blood tests.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed above may occur in some people.

Other problems are more likely to arise from the ulcer itself rather than the treatment.

For this reason, contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

• pain or indigestion that occurs during treatment with Omepro-GA
• you begin to vomit blood or food
• you pass black (blood-stained) motions.

Tell your doctor if your reflux symptoms return after you stop taking Omepro-GA.

After using it

Storage

Keep your Omepro-GA in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take Omepro-GA out of the blister pack they will not keep well.

Keep it in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking Omepro-GA or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets you have left over.

Product description

What Omepro-GA looks like

Omepro-GA is an opaque yellow cap and body capsule containing off-white to cream-white spherical pellets.

Each bottle or carton (in blisters) contains 30 capsules.

Ingredients

Active ingredient:

Each capsule contains omeprazole 20mg.

Inactive ingredients:

Pellets

sodium lauryl sulfate
dibasic anhydrous sodium phosphate
hypromellose
mannitol
macrogol 6000
purified talc
polysorbate-80
titanium dioxide
eudragit L30-D-55
maize starch
sucrose.

Capsule

gelatin
titanium dioxide
quinoline yellow CI47005.

Sponsor

Pharmacor Pty Ltd
Suite 803, Tower A, The Zenith,
821 Pacific Highway,
Chatswood NSW 2067
Australia

Web: www.pharmacor.com.au

Phone: 1300 138 805

Australian Registration Numbers:

20 mg (blister pack) 149516*

*non-marketed

This leaflet was prepared in October 2019.

Published by MIMS December 2019

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