OMEPRAZOL ALTER 20 mg HARD GASTRO-RESISTANT CAPSULES

Introduction

Package Leaflet: Information for the User

Omeprazole Alter 20 mg hard gastro-resistant capsules EFG

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• 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 only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

Contents of the pack

1. What is Omeprazole Alter and what is it used for
2. What you need to know before you take Omeprazole Alter
3. How to take Omeprazole Alter
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of Omeprazole Alter
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What is Omeprazole Alter and what is it used for

Omeprazole Alter contains the active substance 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.

Omeprazole is used to treat the following conditions:

In adults:

• “Gastroesophageal reflux disease” (GORD). In this condition, acid from the stomach passes into the gullet (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 caused by an infection with a bacteria 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).
• Omeprazole may 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” (GORD). In this condition, acid from the stomach passes into the gullet (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach), causing pain, inflammation, and heartburn.

In children, symptoms of the disease may include return of stomach contents to the mouth (regurgitation), vomiting, and insufficient weight gain.

Children over 4 years of age and adolescents:

• Ulcers caused by an infection with a bacteria 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. What you need to know before you take Omeprazole Alter

Do not take omeprazole:

• if you are allergic to omeprazole or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• 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).

Do not take omeprazole if you are among any of the above cases. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking omeprazole.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take omeprazole.

Serious skin reactions have been reported in association with omeprazole treatment, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). Stop taking omeprazole and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms related to serious skin reactions described in section 4.

Omeprazole may mask the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, if you experience any of the following conditions before starting to take omeprazole or during treatment, consult your doctor immediately:

• Unintentional weight loss and difficulty swallowing.
• Stomach pain or indigestion.
• Vomiting food or vomiting blood.
• Black stools (stools stained with blood).
• If you have severe or persistent diarrhea, as omeprazole has been associated with a slight increase in infectious diarrhea.
• Severe liver problems.
• If you have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with a medicine similar to Omeprazol Alter to reduce stomach acidity.
• If you are scheduled to have a specific blood test (Chromogranin A)

If you take omeprazole for a long period (more than 1 year) your doctor will probably schedule regular check-ups. You should inform your doctor of any new or unusual symptoms or circumstances whenever you visit your doctor.

Taking a proton pump inhibitor like omeprazole, especially for a period of more than one year, may slightly increase the risk of fracture of the hip, wrist, or spine. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (which can increase the risk of osteoporosis).

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 inform your doctor of these signs.

This medicine may affect the way your body absorbs vitamin B12, especially if you need to take it for a long time. Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms, which could indicate low levels of vitamin B12:

• Extreme tiredness or lack of energy
• Numbness
• Pain in the tongue or red tongue, mouth ulcers
• Muscle weakness
• Altered vision
• Memory problems, confusion, depression

Children

Some children with chronic diseases may require long-term treatment, although it is not recommended. Do not give this medicine to children under 1 year of age or <10 kg in weight.

Other medicines and Omeprazol Alter

Taking omeprazol with other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription. This is because omeprazol can affect the way some medicines work and some medicines can affect omeprazol.

Do not take omeprazol 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, posaconazole, 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 omeprazol
• 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 omeprazol
• 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))
• Erlotinib (used to treat cancer)
• Methotrexate (chemotherapy medicine used in high doses to treat cancer) - if you are taking a high dose of methotrexate, your doctor will need to temporarily stop treatment with omeprazol

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 your doctor of any other medicines you are taking.

Taking Omeprazol Alter with food and drinks

See section 3.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Omeprazole passes into breast milk but it is unlikely to affect the baby when used in therapeutic doses. Your doctor will decide whether you can take omeprazol if you are breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Omeprazol 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 these occur, patients should not drive or use machines.

Omeprazol Alter contains sucrose and sodium

This medicine contains sucrose. If your doctor has told you that you have an intolerance to some sugars, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

This medicine contains less than 23 mg of sodium (1mmol) per capsule, i.e., it is essentially “sodium-free”.

3. How to take Omeprazol Alter

Follow the instructions for administration of this medicine exactly as indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.

Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take and for how long. This will depend on your condition and age.

The recommended dose is described below:

Use in adults

Treatment of symptoms of GORD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation:

• If your doctor confirms that you have mild damage to the esophagus, the recommended 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 recommended dose once the esophagus has healed is 10 mg once a day.
• If you do not have damage to the esophagus, the recommended dose is 10 mg once a day.

Treatment of ulcers in the upper part of the intestine(duodenal ulcer):

• The recommended 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 stomach ulcers(gastric ulcer):

• The recommended 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 recommended 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(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs):

• The recommended dose is 20 mg once a day for 4 to 8 weeks.

Prevention of stomach and duodenal ulcersduring NSAID therapy:

• The recommended dose is 20 mg once a day.

Treatment of ulcers causedby Helicobacter pyloriinfection and prevention of their recurrence:

• The recommended dose is 20 mg of omeprazole twice a day for one week.
• Your doctor will also prescribe two antibiotics, amoxicillin and clarithromycin.

Treatment of excess acid in the stomach caused by a tumor in the pancreas (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome):

• The recommended 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.

Use in children and adolescents

Treatment of symptoms of GORD, such as heartburn and acid regurgitation:

• Children over 1 year of age who weigh more than 10 kg can take omeprazole. The dose for children is based on body weight and the doctor will decide the correct dose.

Treatment of ulcers causedby Helicobacter pyloriinfection and prevention of their recurrence:

• Children over 4 years of age can take omeprazole. 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 problems swallowing the 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 more Omeprazol Alter than you should

If you have taken more omeprazole 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 take Omeprazol Alter

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.

If you stop taking Omeprazol Alter

Do not stop taking omeprazole without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first.

If you have any other questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible Adverse Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not all people suffer from them.

If you notice any of the following rare adverse effects(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) or very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)but serious, stop taking omeprazole 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). (rare)
• 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". (very rare)
• Widespread rash, high body temperature, and inflammation of the lymph nodes (DRESS syndrome or drug hypersensitivity syndrome). (rare)
• A red, scaly, and widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters, accompanied by fever. Symptoms usually appear at the start of treatment (acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis). (rare)
• Yellowing of the skin, dark urine, and fatigue, which can be symptoms of liver problems. (rare)

Other adverse effects are:

Frequent adverse effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

• Headache.
• Effects on the stomach or intestine: diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, and gas (flatulence).
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Benign polyps in the stomach.

Infrequent adverse effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Swelling of the feet and ankles.
• Sleep disorders (insomnia).
• Dizziness, tingling sensation, drowsiness.
• Feeling that everything is spinning (vertigo).
• Alterations in blood tests that check liver function.
• Skin rash, hives, and itching.
• Feeling of general discomfort and lack of energy.

Rare adverse effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Blood problems, such as a decrease in white blood cells or platelets. This can cause weakness or bruising and increase the likelihood of infections.
• Low sodium levels in the blood. It can cause weakness, vomiting, and cramps.
• Agitation, confusion, or depression.
• Taste alterations.
• Visual problems, such as blurred vision.
• Sudden feeling of difficult breathing (bronchospasm).
• Dry mouth.
• Inflammation of the mouth.
• An infection called "candidiasis" that can affect the intestine and is caused by a fungus.
• Hair loss (alopecia).
• Skin rash with exposure to sunlight.
• Joint pain (arthralgias) or muscle pain (myalgias).
• Severe kidney problems (interstitial nephritis).
• Increased sweating.

Very rare adverse effects (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

• Blood count alterations, such as agranulocytosis (lack of white blood cells).
• Aggressiveness.
• Seeing, feeling, or hearing things that do not exist (hallucinations).
• Severe liver problems that cause liver failure and brain inflammation.
• Erythema multiforme.
• Muscle weakness.
• Increased breast size in males.

Frequency not known(cannot be estimated from available data)

• Inflammation in the intestine (causing diarrhea).
• If you are being treated with omeprazole for more than three months, it is possible that your magnesium levels in the blood may decrease. Low magnesium levels can manifest as fatigue, involuntary muscle contractions, disorientation, convulsions, dizziness, or increased heart rate. If you have any of these symptoms, inform your doctor immediately. Low magnesium levels can also lead to a reduction in potassium or calcium levels in the blood. Your doctor may decide to perform periodic tests to monitor your magnesium levels.
• Rash, possibly with joint pain.

In very rare cases, omeprazole 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.

Reporting Adverse Effects

If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible adverse effect that does not appear in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System for Human Use Medicines: https://www.notificaram.es. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. Conservation of Omeprazol Alter

Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiration date that appears on the packaging after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.

• Al/Al blister:

Store below 30°C.

Keep in the original packaging to protect it from moisture.

• PVC-PVDC/Al blister:

Store below 25°C.

Keep in the original packaging to protect it from moisture.

• HDPE bottle:

No special storage conditions are required.

Validity period after the first opening of the bottle: 100 days.

Keep the bottle perfectly closed to protect it from moisture.

• Medicines should not be thrown down the drain or into the trash. Deposit the packaging and medicines you no longer need in the SIGRE point of the pharmacy. In case of doubt, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medicines you no longer need. This way, you will help protect the environment.

6. Package Contents and Additional Information

Composition of Omeprazol Alter

• The active ingredient is omeprazole. Each gastro-resistant capsule contains 20 mg of omeprazole.
• The other components are sugar spheres (sucrose and cornstarch), hypromellose (E-464), talc (E-553b), titanium dioxide (E-171), disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (E-339 ii), sodium lauryl sulfate, polysorbate 80, copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate, triethyl citrate (E-1505). Capsule: gelatin, titanium dioxide (E-171). See section 2 Omeprazol Alter contains sucrose.

Appearance of the Product and Package Contents

Omeprazol Alter 20 mg are hard gelatin capsules of white opaque color marked with OM20, which contain spherical granules.

White HDPE bottle with cap and safety ring equipped with a desiccant: 14 and 28 capsules.

Alu/Alu blister: 14 and 28 capsules.

PVC-PVDC/Al blister: 14, 28, and 56 capsules.

Only some package sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorization Holder

Laboratorios Alter, S.A.

Mateo Inurria, 30

28036 Madrid

Spain

Manufacturer

Towa Pharmaceutical Europe S.L.C/ Sant Martí, 75-97

08107 Martorelles, Barcelona

Spain

Date of the Last Revision of this Prospectus:September 2024

Detailed information about this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/