Omeprazole / Sodium Bicarbonate Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 15, 2023.

Usual Adult Dose for Duodenal Ulcer

Omeprazole 20 mg orally once a day

• Duration of therapy: 4 weeks

Comment: If patients are not healed after 4 weeks, treatment for another 4 weeks may be considered.

Use: Short-term treatment of active duodenal ulcer

Usual Adult Dose for Gastric Ulcer

Omeprazole 40 mg orally once a day

• Duration of therapy: 4 to 8 weeks

Use: Short-term treatment of active benign gastric ulcer

Usual Adult Dose for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Omeprazole 20 mg orally once a day

• Duration of therapy: Up to 14 days (Over-the-Counter [OTC] formulations); Up to 4 weeks (prescription formulations)

Comments:

• The OTC formulation course of treatment may be repeated every 4 months as necessary.
• The full effect of treatment may not be reached for up to 4 days.

Uses:

• Treatment of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) without esophageal erosions (prescription formulations)
• Treatment of frequent heartburn occurring at least 2 days a week (OTC formulations)

Usual Adult Dose for Erosive Esophagitis

Treatment: Omeprazole 20 mg orally once a day

• Duration of therapy: 4 to 8 weeks

Maintenance: Omeprazole 20 mg orally once a day

Comments:
Controlled studies for the efficacy in treatment of erosive esophagitis did not extend beyond 8 weeks.

• An additional 4 to 8-week course of therapy may be considered in patients with a recurrence of erosive esophagitis or GERD symptoms after initial treatment.
• Controlled studies for maintenance therapy did not extend beyond 12 months.

Uses:

• Short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis diagnosed by endoscopy
• Maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis

Usual Adult Dose for Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

Oral suspension: Omeprazole 40 mg orally, followed by 40 mg 6 to 8 hours later, and 40 mg orally once a day thereafter

• Duration of therapy: 14 days

Comment: Controlled studies did not extend past 12 months.

Use: Reduction of risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients

Renal Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Use should be avoided, especially in patients undergoing maintenance regimens for the healing of erosive esophagitis.

Dose Adjustments

Asian patients: Use should be avoided, especially in patients undergoing maintenance regimens for the healing of erosive esophagitis.

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Hypersensitivity to the active components, substituted benzimidazoles, or any of the ingredients
• Patients receiving rilpivirine-containing products (prescription formulations)

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• This drug should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal. The capsule should be swallowed whole, without chewing or crushing; patients should not open the capsule to sprinkle the contents into food or other liquids.
• Patients receiving continuous nasogastric/orogastric tube feeding should stop feeding 3 hours before and 1 hour after taking this drug.

Reconstitution/preparation techniques:

• The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

Storage requirements:

• The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

General:

• The dose of sodium bicarbonate is the same in the 20 and 40 mg formulations; thus, two 20 mg capsules/packets are not equivalent to a single 40 mg capsule/packet. The manufacturer product information should be consulted for more information on sodium content.

Monitoring:

• METABOLIC: Magnesium levels, especially in patients taking other drugs that could result in hypomagnesemia or those on long-term therapy; Vitamin B12 levels, especially in patients on long-term therapy
• MUSCULOSKELETAL: Bone fractures, especially in patients at high-risk for osteoporosis-related events

Patient advice:

• Patients should be advised that use is not intended for immediate relief. Patients may not experience full effects for up to 4 days.
• If using this drug to treat H pylori, tell patients that it is important to complete the full regimen.
• Instruct patients to seek medical attention if signs/symptoms of hypersensitivity, Clostridium difficile, or systemic cutaneous lupus erythematosus occur.
• Inform patients that this drug may cause drowsiness, dizziness, vertigo, and/or visual disturbances. They should avoid driving or operating machinery until the full effects of the drug are seen.
• Advise patients to speak to their healthcare provider if they become pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer