People's Pharmacy

Prilosec

Generic Name:omeprazole

Revised:4/1/2000

Table of Contents

Special Precautions

Animal studies have shown that Prilosec is associated with a dose-related increase in stomach cancers. It is not known whether this risk also applies to humans.

In addition, because it is so effective at reducing stomach acid concentrations, patients taking this medicine have higher levels of certain microorganisms in their stomachs than would normally survive there.

Scientists do not yet know whether these bacteria have negative long-term consequences.

Regular supplementation with vitamins C and E might in theory provide protection against nitrosamines produced by the bacteria.

People with liver disease have more trouble metabolizing Prilosec. Older people also remove the drug from circulation more slowly.