Introduction
Package Leaflet: Information for the User
OMAPREN 20 mg Gastro-Resistant Hard Capsules
Omeprazole
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
- Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you, do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
- If you experience any of the side effects, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Contents of the Package Leaflet:
- What is Omapren and what is it used for
- Before taking Omapren
- How to take Omapren
- Possible side effects
- Storage of Omapren
- Further information
1. What is Omapren and what is it used for
Omapren contains the active ingredient omeprazole. It belongs to a group of medicines called “proton pump inhibitors”. These medicines work by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
Omapren is used to treat the following conditions:
In adults:
- “Gastroesophageal reflux disease” (GERD). In this condition, stomach acid passes into the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach), causing pain, inflammation, and heartburn.
- Ulcers in the upper part of the intestine (duodenal ulcer) or in the stomach (gastric ulcer).
- Ulcers infected by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. If you have this condition, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal.
- Ulcers caused by medicines called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Omapren can also be used to prevent ulcers if you are taking NSAIDs.
- Excess acid in the stomach caused by a tumor in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome).
In children:
Children over 1 year of age and = 10 kg
- “Gastroesophageal reflux disease” (GERD). In this condition, stomach acid passes into the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach), causing pain, inflammation, and heartburn. In children, symptoms of the disease may include reflux of stomach contents into the mouth (regurgitation), vomiting, and insufficient weight gain.
Children over 4 years of age and adolescents
- Ulcers infected by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. If your child has this condition, your doctor may also prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and allow the ulcer to heal.
2. Before taking Omapren
Do not takeOmapren
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to omeprazole or any of the other ingredients of Omapren.
- if you are allergic to medicines that contain proton pump inhibitors (e.g., pantoprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, esomeprazole).
- if you are taking a medicine that contains nelfinavir (used to treat HIV infection).
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Omapren.
Be cautious with Omapren
Omapren may mask the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if you experience any of the following conditions before starting to take Omapren or during treatment, consult your doctor immediately:
- You lose a lot of weight without any apparent reason and have difficulty swallowing.
- You have stomach pain or indigestion.
- You start vomiting food or vomiting blood.
- Your stools are black (blood-stained feces).
- If you have severe or persistent diarrhea, as omeprazole has been associated with a slight increase in infectious diarrhea.
- You have severe liver problems.
- If you have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with a medicine similar to omeprazole to reduce stomach acid.
- You are scheduled to have a specific blood test (Chromogranin A)
If you experience a skin rash, especially in areas of the skin exposed to the sun, consult your doctor as soon as possible, as it may be necessary to interrupt treatment with omeprazole. Remember to mention any other symptoms you may notice, such as joint pain.
When taking omeprazole, kidney inflammation may occur. The signs and symptoms may include decreased urine output or blood in the urine and/or hypersensitivity reactions such as fever, skin rash, and joint stiffness. You should report these signs to your doctor.
If you take Omapren for a long period (more than 1 year), your doctor will probably schedule regular check-ups. You should report any new or unusual symptoms and circumstances whenever you visit your doctor.
Use of other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using or have recently used other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription. Omapren may affect the action of some medicines, and some medicines may affect Omapren.
Do not take Omapren if you are taking a medicine that contains nelfinavir(used to treat HIV infection).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole, or voriconazole (used to treat fungal infections)
- Digoxin (used to treat heart problems)
- Diazepam (used to treat anxiety, relax muscles, or in epilepsy)
- Phenytoin (used in epilepsy). If you are taking phenytoin, your doctor will need to monitor you when you start or stop treatment with Omapren
- Medicines used to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists. Your doctor will need to monitor you when you start or stop treatment with Omapren
- Rifampicin (used to treat tuberculosis)
- Atazanavir (used to treat HIV infection)
- Tacrolimus (in cases of organ transplantation)
- St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) (used to treat mild depression)
- Cilostazol (used to treat intermittent claudication)
- Saquinavir (used to treat HIV infection)
- Clopidogrel (used to prevent blood clots (thrombi))
If your doctor has also prescribed the antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin for you to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pyloriinfection, it is very important that you inform them of any other medicines you are taking.
TakingOmaprenwith food and drinks
You can take your capsules with food or on an empty stomach.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Before taking Omapren, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Your doctor will decide if you can take Omapren during this time.
Your doctor will decide if you can take Omapren if you are breastfeeding.
Driving and using machines
Omapren is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use tools or machines. However, side effects such as dizziness and visual disturbances (see section 4) may occur. If they do, you should not drive or use machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients ofOmapren
Omapren 20 mg capsules contain sucrose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, consult them before taking this medicine.
3. How to take Omapren
Follow the instructions for administration of Omapren exactly as indicated by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts.
Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and for how long. This will depend on your condition and age.
The usual doses are indicated below.
Adults:
Treatment of symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation:
- If your doctor confirms that you have mild esophageal damage, the normal dose is 20 mg once a day for 4-8 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe a dose of 40 mg for another 8 weeks if the esophagus has not yet healed.
- The normal dose once the esophagus has healed is 10 mg once a day.
- If you do not have esophageal damage, the normal dose is 10 mg once a day.
Treatment of duodenal ulcers:
- The normal dose is 20 mg once a day for 2 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe the same dose for another 2 weeks if the ulcer has not yet healed.
- If the ulcer does not heal completely, the dose may be increased to 40 mg once a day for 4 weeks.
Treatment of gastric ulcers:
- The normal dose is 20 mg once a day for 4 weeks. Your doctor may prescribe the same dose for another 4 weeks if the ulcer has not yet healed.
- If the ulcer does not heal completely, the dose may be increased to 40 mg once a day for 8 weeks.
Preventionof the recurrence of stomach and duodenal ulcers:
- The normal dose is 10 mg or 20 mg once a day. Your doctor may increase the dose to 40 mg once a day.
Treatment of stomach and duodenal ulcerscaused by NSAIDs:
- The normal dose is 20 mg once a day for 4-8 weeks.
Prevention of stomach and duodenal ulcersduring NSAID therapy:
- The normal dose is 20 mg once a day
Treatment of ulcers causedby Helicobacter pyloriinfectionand prevention of recurrence:
- The normal dose is 20 mg of Omapren twice a day for one week.
- Your doctor will also tell you to take two antibiotics: amoxicillin and clarithromycin.
Treatment of excess acid in the stomachcaused by a tumor in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome):
- The usual dose is 60 mg per day.
- Your doctor will adjust the dose according to your needs and decide how long you need to take the medicine.
Children:
Treatment of symptoms of GERD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation:
- Children over 1 year of age who weigh more than 10 kg can take Omapren. The dose for children is based on body weight, and the doctor will decide the correct dose.
Treatment of ulcerscaused by Helicobacter pyloriinfectionand prevention of recurrence:
- Children over 4 years of age can take Omapren. The dose for children is based on body weight, and the doctor will decide the correct dose.
- The doctor will also prescribe two antibiotics, amoxicillin and clarithromycin, for your child.
How to take this medicine
- It is recommended to take the capsules in the morning.
- You can take your capsules with food or on an empty stomach.
- Swallow the capsules whole with half a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the capsules, as they contain coated granules that prevent the medicine from being broken down by the acid in the stomach. It is important not to damage the granules.
What to do if you or your child have problemsswallowingthe capsules
- If you or your child have problems swallowing the capsules:
- Open the capsules and swallow the contents directly with half a glass of water or pour the contents into a glass of still water, acidic fruit juice (e.g., apple, orange, or pineapple), or apple sauce.
- Always shake the mixture well before drinking it (the mixture will not be clear). Then, drink the mixture immediately or within 30 minutes.
- To make sure you have taken all the medicine, fill the glass with water, rinse it well, and drink the water. The solid parts contain the medicine; do not chew or crush them.
 
If you take moreOmapren than you should
If you have taken more Omapren than prescribed by your doctor, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately. You can also call the Toxicology Information Service, phone 91 562 04 20, indicating the medicine and the amount taken.
If you forget to takeOmapren
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed doses.
4. Possible Adverse Effects
Like all medicines, Omapren can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.
If you notice any ofthe following rare but serious adverse effects, stop taking Omapren and consult your doctor immediately:
- Sudden whistling when breathing (sudden wheezing), swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat or body, skin rash, fainting or difficulty swallowing (severe allergic reaction).
- Redness of the skin with blistering or peeling. Intense blisters and bleeding may also appear on the lips, eyes, mouth, nose, and genitals. This could be "Stevens-Johnson syndrome" or "toxic epidermal necrolysis".
- Yellowing of the skin, dark urine, and fatigue, which can be symptoms of liver problems.
Adverse effects can occur with certain frequencies, which are defined as follows:
| Very common: | affect more than 1 patient in 10 | 
| Common: | affect 1 to 10 patients in 100 | 
| Uncommon: | affect 1 to 10 patients in 1,000 | 
| Rare: | affect 1 to 10 patients in 10,000 | 
| Very rare: | affect less than 1 patient in 10,000 | 
| Not known: | cannot be determined from available data | 
Other adverse effects are:
Common Adverse Effects
- Headache.
- Effects on the stomach or intestine: diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, and gas (flatulence), benign polyps in the stomach.
- Nausea or vomiting.
Uncommon Adverse Effects
- Swelling of the feet and ankles.
- Sleep disorders (insomnia).
- Dizziness, tingling sensation, drowsiness.
- Feeling that everything is spinning (vertigo).
- Abnormal liver function tests.
- Skin rash, hives, and itching.
- General feeling of discomfort and lack of energy.
- Fracture of the hip, wrist, and spine.
Rare Adverse Effects
- Blood problems, such as a decrease in white blood cells or platelets. This can cause weakness or bruising and increase the risk of infection.
- Allergic reactions, sometimes very intense, including swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, fever, and wheezing.
- Low sodium levels in the blood. This can cause weakness, vomiting, and cramps.
- Agitation, confusion, or depression.
- Taste disorders.
- Visual problems, such as blurred vision.
- Sudden feeling of difficult breathing (bronchospasm).
- Dry mouth.
- Inflammation of the mouth.
- Infection called "candidiasis" that can affect the intestine and is caused by a fungus.
- Liver problems, such as jaundice, which can cause yellowing of the skin, dark urine, and fatigue.
- Hair loss (alopecia).
- Skin rash with exposure to sunlight.
- Joint pain (arthralgia) or muscle pain (myalgia).
- Severe kidney problems (interstitial nephritis).
- Increased sweating.
Very Rare Adverse Effects
- Changes in blood count, such as agranulocytosis (lack of white blood cells).
- Aggression.
- Seeing, feeling, or hearing things that do not exist (hallucinations).
- Severe liver problems that cause liver failure and brain inflammation.
- Sudden appearance of an intense rash, blistering, or peeling of the skin. This can be accompanied by high fever and joint pain (erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis).
- Muscle weakness.
- Increased breast size in males.
Unknown Frequency
- Low magnesium levels in the blood (hypomagnesemia).
- Skin rash, possibly with joint pain.
In very rare cases, Omapren can affect the white blood cells in the blood and cause immunodeficiency. If you have an infection with symptoms such as fever with a severely deteriorated general condition or fever with symptoms of local infection, such as neck, throat, or mouth pain, or difficulty urinating, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible to perform a blood test and rule out a lack of white blood cells (agranulocytosis). It is essential that you provide information about the medication you are taking at that time.
If you take Omapren for more than three months, it is possible that magnesium levels in the blood may decrease. Low magnesium levels can also cause a decrease in potassium and calcium levels in the blood. Your doctor may decide to perform periodic blood tests to monitor magnesium levels.
If you are taking proton pump inhibitors like Omapren, especially for a period of more than one year, you may have a slightly increased risk of hip, wrist, and spine fractures. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (which can increase the risk of osteoporosis).
Reporting Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is an adverse effect that is not listed in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: www.notificaram.es.
By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medication.
5. Storage of Omapren
- Keep out of sight and reach of children.
- Do not use Omapren after the expiration date shown on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
- Do not store at a temperature above 30°C.
- Keep this blister pack in the original packaging to protect it from moisture.
- Medicines should not be disposed of through wastewater or household waste. Deposit the packaging and unused medicines at the SIGRE collection point in the pharmacy. In case of doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and unused medicines. This will help protect the environment.
6. Package Contents and Additional Information
Composition ofOmapren
- The active ingredient is omeprazole. Omapren capsules contain 20 mg of omeprazole.
- The other ingredients are: sugar spheres (cornstarch and sucrose), sodium lauryl sulfate, anhydrous disodium hydrogen phosphate, mannitol, hypromellose, macrogol 6000, talc, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide (E-171), methacrylic acid - ethyl acrylate copolymer.
- The gelatin capsule is composed of: gelatin, water, quinoline yellow (E-104), and titanium dioxide (E-171).
Appearance of the Product and Package Contents
Omapren 20 mg capsules are formed by a colored body and a yellow opaque cap, in packages of 14, 28, 56, or 500 capsules.
Only some package sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorization Holder
Neuraxpharm Spain, S.L.U.
Avda. Barcelona 69
08970 Sant Joan Despí
Barcelona – Spain
Manufacturer
Laboratorios Liconsa S.A.
Avda. Miralcampo, Nº 7
Pol. Ind. Miralcampo
19200 Azuqueca de Henares (Guadalajara)
Spain
This leaflet was approved in March 2023
Detailed and updated information on this medication is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.es/