What it means
It treats heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux diseasegas-troh-ih-sof-uh-JEE-ul REE-fluks dih-ZEEZA long-term condition in which stomach contents, including acid, flow back up into the esophagus.gastr/o stomachesophag/o esophagus-al relating toFull entry , stomach and duodenal ulcers, and is part of the drug combination that clears Helicobacter pylori. Long-term use is linked with low magnesium, low vitamin B12, bone fractures and C. difficile infection. Its brand Prilosec is on the ISMP list of names confused with Prozac (fluoxetine).
For the nurse
Give it 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast. The delayed-release capsule is swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed; it may be opened and the pellets sprinkled on applesauce. It weakens clopidogrel, so check for that combination. The Beers Criteria advise against using it for more than 8 weeks in older adults unless there is a clear reason.
At a glance
| Drug class | proton pump inhibitor (PPI) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Prilosec, Prilosec OTC |
| Spanish | omeprazol |
| Also written | Prilosec |
Easy to confuse with
fluoxetine
An SSRI antidepressant: a drug that raises the level of serotonin available in the brain.
Related terms
ulcer
An open sore where the skin or the lining of an organ has broken down.
gastroesophageal reflux disease
A long-term condition in which stomach contents, including acid, flow back up into the esophagus.
gastritis
Inflammation of the lining of the stomach.
clopidogrel
An antiplatelet drug that keeps platelets from clumping together to form clots.