omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate

Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate can change the way your body absorbs or eliminates certain other drugs. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

This medication contains sodium bicarbonate, a form of salt. Each capsule contains the equivalent of 300 mg of sodium. Each packet of powder contains the equivalent of 460 mg of sodium. If you are on a low-salt or low-sodium diet, you may not be able to use omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. Talk with your doctor.

Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating a meal. If this medicine is given to a person who is fed through a nasogastric (NG) tube, the feeding should be stopped at least 3 hours before giving the medicine. Do not restart nasogastric feeding for at least 1 hour after giving omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate.

Take the capsule or powder for oral suspension only with water. Do not use any other type of liquid or food.

The 20-mg and the 40-mg forms of this medicine contain the same strength of sodium bicarbonate. Do not use two 20-mg capsules to equal one 40-mg capsule. Do not use two 20-mg powder packets to equal one 40-mg powder packet. If you do not use the exact capsule or powder packet your doctor has prescribed, you may receive too much sodium bicarbonate.

Omeprazole decreases the amount of acid your stomach produces. Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid that raises the pH in your stomach to keep the omeprazole from breaking down in stomach acid.

Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD or heartburn), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

This medication contains sodium bicarbonate, a form of salt. Each capsule contains the equivalent of 300 mg of sodium. Each packet of powder contains the equivalent of 460 mg of sodium. If you are on a low-salt or low-sodium diet, you may not be able to use omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. Talk with your doctor.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

• metabolic or respiratory alkalosis (usually after prolonged illness); or
• low calcium or potassium levels in your blood.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Omeprazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating a meal. If this medicine is given to a person who is fed through a nasogastric (NG) tube, the feeding should be stopped at least 3 hours before giving the medicine. Do not restart nasogastric feeding for at least 1 hour after giving omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate.

Take the omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate capsule with a full glass of water. Do not use any other type of liquid or food.

Do not open the capsule or empty the medicine powder from it. Swallow the capsule whole.

To use the powder form of this medicine, open a packet and pour all of the powder into a small cup with 1 or 2 tablespoons of water. Do not use any other type of liquid. Stir the mixture and drink it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

The 20-mg and the 40-mg forms of this medicine contain the same strength of sodium bicarbonate. Do not use two 20-mg capsules to equal one 40-mg capsule. Do not use two 20-mg powder packets to equal one 40-mg powder packet. If you do not use the exact capsule or powder packet your doctor has prescribed, you may receive too much sodium bicarbonate.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, drowsiness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, dry mouth, nausea or vomiting.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
• fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• nausea, stomach pain; or
• diarrhea or constipation;
• white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
• mild fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate can change the way your body absorbs or eliminates other drugs, including:

• ampicillin;
• atazanavir;
• clarithromycin (Biaxin);
• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
• diazepam (Valium) or similar sedatives;
• disulfiram (Antabuse);
• iron supplements;
• ketoconazole (Nizoral);
• phenytoin (Dilantin);
• tacrolimus (Prograf); or
• warfarin (Coumadin).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate.