Omeprazole is a medication used to treat specific conditions in which too much acid is produced in the stomach, according to Drugs.com. Such conditions include ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can also be used in combination with antibiotics to treat ulcers created by a bacterial infection, as suggested by Drugs.com. Other symptoms treated by omeprazole include upset stomach, indigestion, belching and heartburn. As with any medication, omeprazole has the risk of side effects.
Most Common Side Effects
The most common side effects associated with omeprazole use are considered to be mild unless they become persistent or overly bothersome. As noted by eMedTV.com, these effects include headaches in 6.9 percent of patients, abdominal pain in up to 5.2 percent of patients, diarrhea in 3.7 percent of cases, upper respiratory tract infection in 1.9 percent of patients, dizziness in up to 1.5 percent of users and constipation or back pain in up to 1.1 percent of patients.
Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are reported to occur in only a few cases, according to eMedTV.com. Such possible effects should be reported to a medical doctor immediately. Examples include appetite changes, dry mouth, weight gain, muscle or joint pain, trouble sleeping, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, persistent ulcers or sores in the mouth and pain during urination. Drugs.com warns users to stop taking the medication and seek help if they experience unusual fatigue, bleeding, bruising, skin rash or other skin symptoms. An allergic reaction is possible and can be deadly. Drugs.com identifies the symptoms of allergy as unusual swelling, hives and trouble breathing.
Drug Interactions
Symptoms of drug interaction can be subtle or serious. Some medications, such as iron supplements, antibiotics, blood thinners and pain medications, can increase the levels of omeprazole in the body by impacting the body's ability to metabolize the drug. This can lead to overdose symptoms, jaundice or signs of liver failure and/or an exacerbation of side effects of the drugs used with omeprazole.
Other Concerns
Individuals should always report existing health conditions to their doctors before using omeprazole. Specifically, individuals with previous liver failure or allergies to foods, dyes or preservatives may not be suitable candidates for omeprazole treatment, according to eMedTV.com. Symptoms of these existing health conditions can worsen with omeprazole use. Women who are pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant or breastfeeding are also poor candidates for omeprazole, as there is the potential risk of harm to the unborn or nursing infant.
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