Omeprazole: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking
omeprazole (
Prilosec®) if you have:
- Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
- Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
- Breastfeeding.
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Specific Precautions and Warnings With Omeprazole
Some of the warnings and precautions to be aware of prior to taking omeprazole include the following:
- Some of the symptoms of GERD, heartburn, and ulcers are similar to the symptoms of stomach cancer. Just because omeprazole helps your symptoms does not rule out the possibility of stomach cancer.
- Tell your healthcare provider if you have liver disease, as omeprazole is generally not recommended for those with severe liver problems.
- Omeprazole can interact with other medications (see Drug Interactions With Omeprazole).
- Omeprazole is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means omeprazole may not be safe for use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using omeprazole during pregnancy (see Prilosec and Pregnancy).
- Omeprazole passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug (see Prilosec and Breastfeeding).
