Omeprazole (oh-ME-pray-zol), Sodium Bicarbonate (SOE-dee-um bye-KARB-oh-nate)

Treats stomach ulcers (such as duodenal ulcer or gastric ulcer) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and aids in healing damage to the esophagus that is caused by stomach acid. This medicine also helps prevent gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with a serious illness.

Brand Name(s):

Zegerid

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Packet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take this medicine before you eat. This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach at least one hour before a meal.
• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• You will need to mix the powder with water before taking it. Mix the powder with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water in a small cup. Stir well and drink right away. Refill the cup with more water and drink it.
• Zegerid® powder may be given through a nasogastric (NG) or orogastric (OG) feeding tube. Mix the powder with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water in a small cup and stir well. Do not mix with any other foods or liquids except water. Draw the entire mixture into a syringe and insert it into the NG or OG tube right away. Then draw at least one tablespoon of water into the syringe and insert it into the tube to rinse all of the medicine from the tube.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking clarithromycin (Biaxin®), ampicillin, ketoconazole (Nizoral®), atazanavir (Reyataz®), tacrolimus (Prograf®), or cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®). Tell your doctor if you are also using diazepam (Valium®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), disulfiram (Antabuse®), or iron supplements.
• You might have to lower the amount of calcium you eat while you are using this medicine. Your doctor will tell you what foods to avoid to limit the amount of calcium in your diet. Dairy foods such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream are high in calcium.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease or kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you have Bartter's syndrome, respiratory alkalosis, low levels of potassium in your blood, or problems with the acid balance in your body.
• This medicine contains salt. Talk to your doctor before using this medicine if you are on a low-sodium (low-salt) diet.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash.
• Chest pain.
• Confusion, agitation, or depressed mood.
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever.
• Increase in how much or how often you urinate.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or upset stomach.
• Problems with your vision or hearing.
• Weakness.