Common questions about Omeprazol Mylan (FAQ)
Q: What is Omeprazol Mylan and what is it used for?
A: Omeprazol Mylan contains the active substance omeprazole. It belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These work by reducing the amount of acid your stomach produces.
Omeprazol Mylan is used to treat conditions caused by too much stomach acid. This includes:
- Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD): Where acid from the stomach flows up into the food pipe (oesophagus), causing pain, inflammation, and heartburn.
- Ulcers in the upper part of the gut (duodenal ulcer) or the stomach (gastric ulcer).
- Eradicating Helicobacter pylori: Used in combination with antibiotics to treat infections caused by this bacteria in ulcer patients.
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: A rare condition where the stomach produces very large amounts of acid.
Q: How should I take Omeprazol Mylan?
A: Always take Omeprazol Mylan exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
- The capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or crush them.
- If you have trouble swallowing, the capsule can be opened, and the contents (granules) can be mixed with water or fruit juice and consumed immediately.
- Omeprazol Mylan is usually taken in the morning.
- The dose you take depends on your condition, and your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and for how long.
Q: What are the common side effects of Omeprazol Mylan?
A: Like all medicines, Omeprazol Mylan can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:
- Headache
- Stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea, or flatulence (wind)
- Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
- Benign polyps in the stomach (these are generally harmless)
Less common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:
- Swelling of the feet and ankles
- Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- Dizziness, tingling or prickling sensations, feeling sleepy
- Vertigo (a spinning sensation)
- Changes in blood tests that check how the liver is working
- Rash, lumpy rash (hives), and itchy skin
- Feeling generally unwell and lacking energy
If you notice any serious side effects, such as unexpected weight loss, blood in vomit or stools, severe stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), you should contact your doctor immediately.
Q: Can I take Omeprazol Mylan with other medicines?
A: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medicines you are taking, have recently taken, or might take. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription.
Omeprazol Mylan can affect how some other medicines work, and some other medicines can affect how Omeprazol Mylan works. Examples of medicines that may interact include:
- Clopidogrel (used to prevent blood clots)
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, or voriconazole (used to treat infections caused by a fungus)
- Digoxin (used to treat heart problems)
- Diazepam (used to treat anxiety, relax muscles or in epilepsy)
- Phenytoin (used in epilepsy)
- Warfarin or other vitamin K blockers (used to thin the blood)
Your doctor will decide if you can take Omeprazol Mylan alongside your other treatments.
Q: Can Omeprazol Mylan be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
A: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
- Pregnancy: Your doctor will consider the benefit of taking Omeprazol Mylan against the possible risk to the unborn baby. It is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy, but you should still consult your doctor.
- Breastfeeding: Omeprazole passes into breast milk, but is not likely to affect the baby at therapeutic doses. Your doctor will advise you on whether to start or continue treatment while breastfeeding.