Drugs.com cites that Prilosec is a brand-name prescription drug that was developed by the pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca. The active ingredient in Prilosec is omeprazole, a stomach acid inhibitor approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1989 in capsule-form. According to RxList, omeprazole is classified as a proton pump inhibitor and used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease and excess stomach acid production, but is not for quick relief of heartburn symptoms. Prilosec is now offered in capsules, tablets and oral suspension, all of which can cause negative side effects.
Prilosec Capsules
According to Drugs.com, the most common minor side effects related to Prilosec capsule use are headache and diarrhea. Severe effects requiring medical attention are distinguished, and include severe allergic reactions such as skin rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and/or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness of voice; chest pain, especially left sided; dark yellow to brown urine; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; red, inflamed, swollen, blistered or peeling skin; swelling or edema of the hands, ankles or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin. RxList notes that the most frequent side effects commonly reported from Prilosec patient studies included headache in 6.9 percent of the patients, abdominal pain in 5.2 percent and nausea in 4 percent.
Prilosec Tablets
"Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs" reminds us that all medicines may cause negative side effects, but many patients have only minor or no side effects while on Prilosec. Common, mild side effects of Prilosec tablet use are headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. More severe effects requiring medical attention include severe allergic reactions such as rashes, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, swelling of the mouth, throat, lips, or tongue; sudden hoarseness; chest pain; darker colored urine; racing heartbeat; fever, shakes, or sore throat; inflamed, swollen, blistered or peeling skin; swelling of the hands, ankles or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; extreme drowsiness; vision changes; yellowing of the eyes or skin
Prilosec Suspension
As cited on Drugs.com, the most common mild side effects associated with Prilosec oral suspension usage are diarrhea, gas, headache, nausea, stomach pain and vomiting. The "PDR Guide to Drug Interactions, Side Effects, and Indications" makes note of less common side effects such as acid regurgitation, upper respiratory tract infection, constipation, dizziness, back pain and coughing fits. More severe effects requiring medical attention are the same as the aforementioned effects associated with Prilosec capsules and tablets. Of course, as is the case with any drug, other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients.
References
- Drugs.com: Prilosec-Omeprazole
- RxList.com: Prilosec Side Effects
- Drugs.com: Prilosec Side Effects
- "Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs, Fifteenth Edition: The International Encyclopedia of Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions"; Jeffrey Aronson; 2006
- "PDR Guide to Drug Interactions, Side Effects, and Indications"; PDR Staff; 2009
