Omeprazole 20mg

Omeprazole Actavis general information

What is Omeprazole Actavis used for?

Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg are used to treat conditions caused by gastric reflux, which is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus, because the sphincter (muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach) that normally acts as a one-way valve and prevents backflow of stomach contents, does not function properly or is damaged.  Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), as this condition is known, causes symptoms like heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), and can damage the oesophagus causing inflammation (oesophagitis).  Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg are also used to treat and prevent peptic ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers or damage to the stomach lining) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers or damage to the lining of the upper intestine); and gastric ulcers caused by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID); also as combination therapy to treat gastric ulcers that are caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, in conjunction with using antibiotics.  Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg are also used to treat symptoms of acid-related dyspepsia that can be caused by eating high fat or acidic foods, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in which increased levels of the hormone gastrin causes an excessive production of gastric acid.

How does Omeprazole Actavis work?

Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg contain omeprazole, which exists in two active chemical forms called enantiomers; Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg contain a mixture (racemic mixture) of the two enantiomers.  Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat conditions caused by excess gastric acid, by reducing the amount of gastric acid released into the stomach.  Stomach acid is needed for digestion of proteins in your diet and is made by the parietal cells of the stomach wall.  Gastric acid production is dependent on the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which is the proton pump responsible for pumping positive hydrogen ions out of the cells into the stomach, which increases the acidity of the stomach contents.  Omeprazole in Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg inhibits the functioning of the H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which prevents acid secretion by blocking the source of acid production.  This action of omeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophagitis and relieves symptoms caused by excess gastric acid like heartburn and dyspepsia.  By inhibiting gastric acid secretion Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg also help prevent the formation of gastric (stomach) and duodenal (upper intestine) peptic ulcers and also helps ulcers and damage caused by gastric reflux to heal. 

What does Omeprazole Actavis contain?

Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg contain the active ingredient omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor that is used to treat conditions caused by excess gastric acid secretion.  They also contain sucrose, maize starch, sodium laurilsulfate, anhydrous disodium phosphate, mannitol, hypromellose, macrogol 6000, talc, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide, methacrylic acid-ethyl acrylate copolymer dispersion, gelatin and edible black printing ink.

Treating gastric reflux with Omeprazole Actavis

Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg contain omeprazole, which is used to treat conditions caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD).  Gastric reflux is when the acidic contents of the stomach flow back into the oesophagus, because the sphincter (muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach) that normally acts as a one-way valve and prevents backflow of stomach contents, does not function properly or is damaged.  Symptoms caused by gastric reflux include heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), and damage to the oesophagus causing inflammation (oesophagitis).  Omeprazole in Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg reduces acid secretion by parietal cells of the stomach wall, by blocking the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which is responsible for acid production.  This action of omeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage that can be caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and oesophagitis, relieves symptoms caused by excess gastric acid like heartburn and dyspepsia; as well as helping damaged tissues caused by excess acid to heal.

Omeprazole Actavis for peptic ulcers

Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg contain the active ingredient omeprazole, which is used to treat and prevent peptic ulcers in the stomach (gastric ulcers or damage to the stomach lining) and duodenum (duodenal ulcers or damage to the lining of the upper intestine), caused by excess secretion of gastric acid; and gastric ulcers caused by use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).  Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg are also used as combination therapy to treat and prevent gastric ulcers that are caused by infection of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, in conjunction with using antibiotics.  Omeprazole in Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg reduces acid secretion by parietal cells of the stomach wall, by blocking the action of the enzyme H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, which responsible for acid production.  This action of omeprazole reduces the acidity of the stomach contents, which reduces the acid damage to the stomach wall and allows ulcers that have already developed to heal.

What are the side effects of Omeprazole Actavis?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg include: constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, wind (flatulence), headache, skin rash, dizziness, sensation of tingling in the skin (paraesthesia), insomnia.

When should Omeprazole Actavis not be used?

You should not use Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg if you:

• are allergic to omeprazole or any ingredients in Omeprazole Actavis
• are taking medicines that interact with Omeprazole Actavis including: the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole, the anticoagulant warfarin, digoxinfor heart failure, antiretrovirals like nelfinavir and atazanavir, the antibiotic clarithromycin, the immunosuppressive tacrolimus,

What medications interact with Omeprazole Actavis?

Several medications interact with Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Omeprazole Actavis or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that affect Omeprazole Actavis: the antibiotic clarithromycin
• Drugs that are affected by Omeprazole Actavis: antiretrovirals like nelfinavir and atazanavir, digoxinfor heart failure, the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole, the immunosuppressive tacrolimus

How should Omeprazole Actavis be taken?

You should take your Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg with a glass of water, with or without food, once a day in the morning.  You should swallow the capsules whole and do not chew or crush them.  If you cannot swallow your capsules, you can empty the contents into a glass of non-carbonated water or fruit juice.  And drink within 30 minutes.  You should continue to take your Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually for 2-8 weeks, depending on the condition you are being treated for. 

How long should you take Omeprazole Actavis?

You should continue to take your Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, usually for 2-8 weeks, depending on the condition you are being treated for. 

Missed dose of Omeprazole Actavis

If you miss a dose of Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Omeprazole Actavis be stored?

You should store your Omeprazole Actavis capsules 20mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.