Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used to suppress the production of gastric acid. Omeprazole is mainly used to treat and prevent heartburn, gastroesophageal disease, erosive esophagitis, stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Use of omeprazole may cause severe itching. According to MayoClinic.com, itchy skin is a sign of liver or kidney disease. Patients taking omeprazole may experience itching skin due to drug allergy, liver or kidney failure.
Drug Allergy
According to Drugs.com, use of omeprazole may cause severe allergic reactions. Some patients may be allergic to omeprazole or other ingredients in the drug. Patients allergic to omeprazole or other drugs often experience severe body itching accompanied by skin rashes. Patients who experience itching after taking omeprazole should seek immediate medical attention.
Jaundice
Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Patients with jaundice often experience severe itching. Patients with jaundice caused by omeprazole use may experience itching. Jaundice occurs when blood contains an excess of the pigment bilirubin. Bilirubin arises from the breakdown of old red blood cells in the liver and is removed from the body through the hepatobiliary system. According to Drugs.com, omeprazole may interfere with the removal of bilirubin by causing liver failure or impairing the flow of bile through the hepatobiliary system.
Kidney Failure
According to Drugs.com, use of omeprazole may cause interstitial nephritis, which is the inflammation of the spaces between kidney tubules. Inflammation of the kidney tubules leads to acute kidney failure and buildup of toxins in the body. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, patients with kidney failure may experience severe itching due to the buildup of uremic toxins in the blood. Therefore, patients experiencing kidney failure due to use of omeprazole may experience itching due to buildup of toxins.
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