Omeprazole
Brand names: Losec, Prilosec
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, eradication regimens for Helicobacter pylori and the prevention of NSAID-associated ulcers.
Adult dose
Dose adjustments
Dose adjustment is not needed in patients with impaired renal function.
Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance, to substituted benzimidazoles, or to any of the excipients
- Must not be used concomitantly with nelfinavir
Side effects
- Common (1-10%): headache
- Common: abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea/vomiting, benign fundic gland polyps
- Uncommon: dizziness, paraesthesia, somnolence, insomnia, vertigo; increased liver enzymes
- Uncommon: dermatitis, pruritus, rash, urticaria; fracture of the hip, wrist or spine
- Not known: hypomagnesaemia (may result in hypocalcaemia and be associated with hypokalaemia); microscopic colitis
- Rare/very rare: severe cutaneous adverse reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, DRESS, AGEP), hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, tubulointerstitial nephritis, hepatitis, agranulocytosis/pancytopenia
Interactions
- Nelfinavir — concomitant use is contraindicated (§4.3)
- Atazanavir — co-administration with proton pump inhibitors is not recommended; if judged unavoidable, close clinical monitoring with atazanavir increased to 400 mg plus ritonavir 100 mg, and omeprazole 20 mg should not be exceeded (§4.4)
- Clopidogrel — an interaction is observed with omeprazole; clinical relevance uncertain, but as a precaution concomitant use should be discouraged (§4.4)
- Omeprazole is a CYP2C19 inhibitor — consider the potential for interactions with drugs metabolised through CYP2C19 when starting or stopping omeprazole (§4.4)
- Digoxin and drugs that may cause hypomagnesaemia (e.g. diuretics) — consider measuring magnesium levels before and periodically during prolonged PPI treatment (§4.4)
- May reduce absorption of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) due to hypo- or achlorhydria on long-term therapy (§4.4)
Clinical monograph
How it works
It irreversibly inhibits the H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump) on the luminal surface of gastric parietal cells, markedly reducing both basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion.
Prescribing in practice
- Long-term or high-dose use is associated with hypomagnesaemia, an increased risk of fractures and a small increased risk of Clostridioides difficile and other enteric infections; review the indication periodically and use the lowest effective dose.
- It is a CYP2C19 inhibitor and can raise levels of interacting drugs; co-prescription with clopidogrel may reduce clopidogrel's antiplatelet effect.
- Acid suppression can mask the symptoms of gastric malignancy, so investigate alarm features before and during treatment.
Monitoring
Check serum magnesium before and periodically during prolonged therapy, and review the ongoing need for treatment at regular intervals.
Counselling the patient
- Take before food, typically in the morning, and swallow capsules whole.
- Report new diarrhoea, muscle cramps or unexplained tiredness, which may indicate infection or low magnesium.
- Do not stop abruptly after long-term use without discussing a step-down with your prescriber.
Evidence & guidelines
Proton pump inhibitor efficacy in acid-related disease is well established and reflected in NICE dyspepsia and GORD guidance.
Reference: NICE CG184 GORD; NICE NG12 H. pylori; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Lower Gastrointestinal Bleed · BSG 2019; NICE NG141
- Variceal Upper GI Bleed · BSG 2015; Baveno VII (2022)
- Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) · BSG / EASL 2018
- Hepatorenal Syndrome · EASL 2018; ICA 2015
- Hepatic Encephalopathy · EASL 2014; West Haven criteria
- Clostridioides difficile Colitis · NICE NG199 (2021); IDSA/SHEA 2021