Olex

The usual recommended dose of Olex (Omeprazole) is 10 mg to 40 mg once daily. The dose and length of treatment depends on the condition being treated. Olex (Omeprazole) can be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole with water.

When used to treat ulcers in the duodenum, the recommended adult dose is 20 mg taken once daily for 2 to 4 weeks.

To treat ulcers in the stomach, reflux esophagitis, and ulcers associated with the use of NSAIDs, the recommended adult dose is 20 mg taken once daily for 4 to 8 weeks.

For treatment of heartburn, the recommended adult dose is 20 mg daily.

When used to treat stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori in adults, the dose of Olex (Omeprazole) is 20 mg taken 2 times daily with 1,000 mg of amoxicillin 2 times daily and 500 mg of clarithromycin 2 times daily, all for 7 days. Another dosing regimen for H. pylori infections is 20 mg of Olex (Omeprazole), 500 mg of Metronidazole, and 250 mg of clarithromycin, all twice daily for 7 days.

If your ulcer continues to bother you, your doctor may suggest that you continue taking Olex (Omeprazole) for a period of time to make sure that your ulcer is fully healed.

When treating Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, the dose of Olex (Omeprazole) varies, but is often higher than the doses used to treat ulcers. Doses larger than 80 mg daily are often needed.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Olex (Omeprazole) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Olex (Omeprazole) at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Olex is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada. For brands that may still be available, search under Olex (Omeprazole). This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using Olex (Omeprazole), speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

Do not take Olex (Omeprazole) if you:

• are allergic to Olex (Omeprazole) or any ingredients of Olex (Omeprazole)
• are taking the medication rilpivirine

There may be an interaction between Olex (Omeprazole) and any of the following:

• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• Apalutamide
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate, etidronate, Risedronate)
• Bosentan
• cannabis
• Capecitabine
• cefuroxime
• Clobazam
• Clopidogrel
• Clozapine
• Cyclosporine
• dabigatran
• dexmethylphenidate
• Digoxin
• doxycycline
• Elagolix
• Enzalutamide
• Hepatitis C antivirals (e.g., dasabuvir, ledipasvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir, ritonavir, velpatasvir)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• iron salts (e.g., ferrous fumarate, ferrous sulphate)
• lumacaftor
• Mesalamine
• methotrexate
• Methylphenidate
• multivitamins with iron, folate
• mycophenolate
• Pazopanib
• Phenytoin
• protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Bosutinib, Dasatinib, Nilotinib, pazopanib)
• raltegravir
• rifampin
• rilpivirine
• Riociguat
• St. John's wort
• SSRI antidepressants (e.g., Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine)
• Tacrolimus
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Olex (Omeprazole). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Olex (Omeprazole).

Diarrhea: When gastric acid is decreased, the number of bacteria normally in the digestive system increases. Occasionally, this can cause serious infection in the digestive tract. If you experience watery, foul-smelling bowel movements after starting to take Olex (Omeprazole), contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Fluid and electrolyte balance: Olex (Omeprazole), like other PPIs, may cause the levels of electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium in the blood to change while taking Olex (Omeprazole). If you experience symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance such as muscle pains or cramps; dry mouth; numb hands, feet, or lips; or racing heartbeat, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the levels of these electrolytes in your blood while you are taking Olex (Omeprazole).

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Olex (Omeprazole) to build up in the body. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Olex (Omeprazole) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Olex (Omeprazole), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Olex (Omeprazole). People with severe liver disease should generally not take more than 20 mg of Olex (Omeprazole) daily.

Methotrexate interaction: Olex (Omeprazole), like other medications in this group, may interact with methotrexate when the two medications are used at the same time. This combination may lead to higher than expected amounts of methotrexate in the body and can cause serious side effects, including kidney damage, irregular heartbeat, Anemia, or infection. If you take Olex (Omeprazole) and are also going to receive a dose of methotrexate, discuss with your doctor how Olex (Omeprazole) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Olex (Omeprazole), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Osteoporosis-related fractures: Studies suggest that the use of Olex (Omeprazole), like other PPIs, may be related to an increase risk of fractures, particularly for people who take Olex (Omeprazole) for a year or longer. The lowest dose of Olex (Omeprazole) to control the symptoms, taken for the shortest period of time is less likely to cause these problems.

Severe stomach problems: If you have recurrent vomiting, difficulty swallowing, blood in the stool, coughing up of blood, or significant unintentional weight loss, check with your doctor immediately. These symptoms may be signs of a more serious stomach problem.

Subacute cutaneous Lupus erythematosus (SCLE): Olex (Omeprazole), like other PPIs, has been rarely associated with SCLE, an autoimmune disease. If you develop any skin lesions, especially in sun-exposed skin areas, and if accompanied by muscle aches or pains, contact your doctor immediately.

Vitamin B12: Long-term use of Olex (Omeprazole) may lead to vitamin B12 deficiency. If you are a vegetarian or have low vitamin B12 levels, discuss with your doctor whether any special monitoring is required.

Pregnancy: Olex (Omeprazole) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Olex (Omeprazole), call your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Olex (Omeprazole) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Olex (Omeprazole), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Olex (Omeprazole) have not been established for children.