Zegerid

Zegerid

Generic Name: omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate (oh ME pray zol and SO dee um by KAR bon ate)

Brand Names: Zegerid

What is Zegerid?

Zegerid contains a combination of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that decreases the amount of acid your stomach produces. Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid that raises the pH in your stomach to keep the omeprazole from breaking down in stomach acid.

Zegerid is used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Zegerid is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Zegerid may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Zegerid

Zegerid can change the way your body absorbs or eliminates certain other drugs. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.

Heartburn is often confused with the first symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical attention if you have chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a general ill feeling.

Zegerid is not for immediate relief of heartburn symptoms.

Zegerid contains sodium bicarbonate, a form of salt. If you are on a low-salt or low-sodium diet, you may not be able to use omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. Talk with your doctor.

Take Zegerid on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating a meal. If this medicine is given to a person who is fed through a nasogastric (NG) tube, the feeding should be stopped at least 3 hours before giving the medicine. Do not restart nasogastric feeding for at least 1 hour after giving Zegerid.

Take the capsule or powder for oral suspension only with water. Do not use any other type of liquid or food.

The 20-mg and the 40-mg forms of Zegerid contain the same strength of sodium bicarbonate. Do not use two 20-mg capsules to equal one 40-mg capsule. Do not use two 20-mg powder packets to equal one 40-mg powder packet. If you do not use the exact capsule or powder packet your doctor has prescribed, you may receive too much sodium bicarbonate.

Before taking Zegerid

Zegerid contains sodium bicarbonate, a form of salt. Each capsule contains the equivalent of 300 mg of sodium. Each packet of powder contains the equivalent of 460 mg of sodium. If you are on a low-salt or low-sodium diet, you may not be able to use Zegerid. Talk with your doctor.

If you have any of these other conditions, your doctor may need to adjust the Zegerid dose or order special tests:

metabolic or respiratory alkalosis (usually after prolonged illness); or

low calcium or potassium levels in your blood.

Taking a proton pump inhibitor such as omeprazole may increase your risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist, or spine. This effect has occurred mostly in people who have taken the medication long term or at high doses, and in those who are age 50 and older. It is not clear whether omeprazole is the actual cause of an increased risk of fracture. Before you take Zegerid, tell your doctor if you have osteoporosis or osteopenia (low bone mineral density).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Zegerid will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Omeprazole can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Zegerid without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Zegerid pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Zegerid?

Take Zegerid exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Zegerid on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before eating a meal. If this medicine is given to a person who is fed through a nasogastric (NG) tube, the feeding should be stopped at least 3 hours before giving the medicine. Do not restart nasogastric feeding for at least 1 hour after giving Zegerid. Take the Zegerid capsule with a full glass of water. Do not use any other type of liquid or food. Do not open the capsule or empty the medicine powder from it. Swallow the capsule whole.

To use the powder form of Zegerid, open a packet and pour all of the powder into a small cup with 1 or 2 tablespoons of water. Do not use any other type of liquid. Stir the mixture and drink it right away. To make sure you get the entire dose, add a little more water to the same glass, swirl gently and drink right away.

The 20-mg and the 40-mg forms of Zegerid contain the same strength of sodium bicarbonate. Do not use two 20-mg capsules to equal one 40-mg capsule. Do not use two 20-mg powder packets to equal one 40-mg powder packet. If you do not use the exact capsule or powder packet your doctor has prescribed, you may receive too much sodium bicarbonate.

Store Zegerid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Zegerid dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, drowsiness, blurred vision, fast heartbeat, sweating, dry mouth, nausea or vomiting.

What should I avoid while taking Zegerid?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Zegerid.

Zegerid side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Zegerid: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.

Less serious Zegerid side effects may include:

headache;

nausea, stomach pain; or

diarrhea or constipation;

white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;

mild fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Zegerid side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Zegerid?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

ampicillin;

atazanavir;

clarithromycin (Biaxin);

clopidogrel (Plavix)

cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);

diazepam (Valium) or similar sedatives;

disulfiram (Antabuse);

iron supplements;

ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal);

phenytoin (Dilantin);

tacrolimus (Prograf); or

warfarin (Coumadin).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Zegerid. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Zegerid resources

Zegerid Side Effects (in More Detail)

Zegerid Dosage

Zegerid Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Zegerid Drug Interactions

Zegerid Support Group

12 Reviews for Zegerid - Add your own review/rating

Zegerid Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Zegerid MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Zegerid Prescribing Information (FDA)

Zegerid OTC MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Zegerid with other medications

Duodenal Ulcer

Erosive Esophagitis

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

GERD

Stomach Ulcer

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Zegerid.

What does my medication look like?

Omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate is available with a prescription under the brand name Zegerid. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

Zegerid 20 mg - light blue and white capsule

Zegerid 40 mg - dark blue and white capsule

Zegerid 20 mg - powder for oral suspension, packet

Zegerid 40 mg - powder for oral suspension, packet