What is Zegerid?
Zegerid is a mixture of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate. Omeprazole is an inhibitor of the proton pump that reduces the amount of acid that your stomach produces. It is an antacid that raises the pH of your stomach, preventing Omeprazole from breaking down stomach acid.Zegerid helps treat heartburn as well as other signs related to stomach reflux (GERD).
Zegerid can also be utilized to treat certain types of ulcers or help in the healing process of erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus that is caused by acid in your stomach).Zegerid is not a solution for immediate relief from heartburn symptoms.
Warnings
The omeprazole in Zegerid may cause kidney issues. Consult your physician if you're not urinating as much as normal or if there is some blood in the urine.Diarrhea can be an indication of a new infection. Consult your physician in the event of diarrhea that is swollen or contains blood.
Omeprazole can cause a new or worsening symptom of lupus. Inform your doctor if you are experiencing joint pain and a rash of skin on your arms or cheeks. It gets worse in the sun.
You could be more likely to suffer fractured bones while taking this medication for a long time or more than once a day.Zegerid is a sodium bicarbonate-based product that is in salt form. Consult your doctor if you have Bartter's syndrome (an uncommon kidney disease) or are following a diet that is low in salt.
Before you take this drug
It is not recommended to use Zegerid. If you have an allergy to sodium bicarbonate or omeprazole, or if
- If you've experienced breathing issues, kidney problems, breathing issues, or an extreme allergic reaction to this medication in the past;
- You are also taking any medicine that contains the ingredient rilpivirine (Edurant, Juluca, Complera, and Odefsey).
Heartburn is a common sign of a coronary attack. Seek medical attention immediately when you experience chest pain that is spreading to your shoulder or jaw and when you are feeling anxious or lightheaded.
Zegerid includes sodium bicarbonate, which is a type of salt. Each capsule has the equivalent of 300 milligrammes of sodium. Each capsule has a total of about 460 mg of sodium. If you're on an esoteric diet, you might not be able to use Zegerid. Consult your physician.
To be sure Zegerid is suitable for you, inform your doctor or pharmacist that you suffer from:
- A rare kidney disorder referred to as Bartter's syndrome, a rare kidney disorder.
- Liver disease;
- Any sensitivities;
- Heart failure;
- Issues that are related to problems with acid-base (pH) balance within your body;
- Low magnesium, calcium, and potassium concentrations in your blood.
- If you're of Asian origin.
It is possible that you are more likely to suffer broken bones in your wrist, hip, or back when you are taking an inhibitor of the proton pump longer-term or more than once daily. Talk with your doctor about ways to ensure your bones are healthy.
Consult a physician before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.Zegerid is not a drug that has been approved for use by anyone less than 18 years of age.
How to take Zegerid?
You should take Zegerid exactly as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label and also read the medication guide or instructions sheets.Zegerid is a short-term medication, typically between 4 and 8 weeks. The erosive esophagitis might take longer to recover. Follow your doctor's dosage instructions with care.
This medicine should be taken with a full stomach empty for at least one hour prior to eating your meal.Consume this Zegerid capsule by drinking a glass of water. Do not mix it with any other liquid or food item. Take each capsule in its entirety and don't crush, chew, or break it. You can also crack it.
To make use of the powder, take a packet, then put all the contents into a tiny container with 2 or 3 spoons of liquid. Make sure not to mix it with any other liquid. Stir the drink and consume it immediately. Add a bit more water to the glass, stir with a gentle swirl, and enjoy immediately.Do not combine two 20-mg capsules to create one 40-mg capsule. Don't use two 20-mg powder containers to create a forty-mg packet of powder. If you do not take the exact capsule powder that your doctor has recommended, it is possible that you will receive excessive amounts of sodium bicarbonate.Take note of and follow the instructions for use if you administer this medicine to a person fed via the Nasogastric (NG) tube. Consult your physician or pharmacist if you don't understand the instructions.Keep at room temperature, free of heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Take the medication as quickly as you are able, but do not miss your missed dose if you are nearing the time to take the next dose. Do not take two doses at once.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
The symptoms of an overdose can consist of confusion, headache, blurred vision, drowsiness, rapid heartbeats, sweating, vomiting, dry mouth, and tingling or warmth.
What should be avoided?
This medication may result in diarrhea, which could be an indicator of an infection that has recurred. If you are experiencing diarrhea that is bloody or watery and you are unsure of the cause, consult your doctor prior to applying anti-diarrhoea medications.
If you have been taking this medication for a long time, ask your physician whether you can also take calcium supplements. Ask your doctor about sources for calcium from dairy products or milk in general. Too much calcium intake while taking Zegerid can be harmful for your kidneys.
Side effects of Zegerid
Get immediate medical attention. If you notice symptoms that you are experiencing an allergic reaction to Zegerid, such as hives or breathing difficulties and swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face,
Contact your doctor immediately. If you suffer from:
- Extreme stomach discomfort; diarrhea that is either bloody or watery;
- New or unusual pain in your back, wrist, hip, or thigh
- Muscle that is twitching or shaking;
- A tingling sensation or numbness in your arms, face, or legs;
- Confusion, dizziness;
- A seizure;
- Lower magnesium disorientation, heartbeat inconsistency, jitteriness, muscle cramps, spasms, coughing, or choking feeling
- Kidney issues (fever, rash, nausea, loss of appetite, joint pains, a lower frequency of urination or urine that is bloody, and weight gain).
- New or worsening symptoms of lupus include joint pain and a rash of skin on your arms or cheeks that gets worse in the sun
- Vitamin B12 deficiencies: breathlessness and feeling lightheaded Also, abnormal heartbeats, muscle weakness, fatigue, pale skin, and mood changes
Long-term use of this medicine could result in the development of stomach tumors, also known as fundic gland polyps. Discuss this possibility with your physician.
If you have been taking Zegerid for more than three years, you may develop a vitamin B-12 deficiency. Discuss with your physician the best way to treat this condition in the event that you are diagnosed with it.
Common Zegerid adverse reactions could include:
- Headache;
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, gas,
This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Other side effects could occur. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Duodenal Ulcer:
Omeprazole 20 mg is taken orally, once every day.
Therapy duration: 4 weeks
Comment If the patient is not completely healed after four weeks of treatment, another four weeks are possible.
Treatment: A short-term solution for an active duodenal ulcer
Usual Adult Dose for Gastric Ulcer:
Omeprazole 40 mg, orally every day
Therapy duration: 4–8 weeks
Treatment: A short-term solution for active benign gastric ulcers
Usual Adult Dose for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease:
Omeprazole 20 mg, orally, twice per day
The duration of treatment: up to 14 to 21 days (over-the-counter [OTC] formulations); up to 4 weeks (prescription formulations).
Comments:
The OTC formulation treatment course can be repeated once every four months as needed.
The full benefit of treatment might not be achieved for up to four days.
Uses:
Treatment of symptoms of stomach reflux disease (GERD) without erosions of the esophageal tract (prescription formulations)
Treatment of frequent heartburn that occurs every two days or more per week (OTC formulations)
Usual Adult Dose for Erosive Esophagitis:
Therapy: Omeprazole 20 mg orally every day
Therapy duration: between 4 and 8 weeks
For maintenance: Omeprazole 20 mg orally at least once per day.
Comments:
The effectiveness of controlled studies in treating erosive esophagitis didn't go past 8 weeks.
A further 4 to 8 weeks of therapy are possible for those who are experiencing recurrences of erosive esophagitis or GERD symptoms following initial treatment.
The controlled studies of maintenance therapy showed no evidence of prolongation beyond 12 months.
Uses:
Treatment of an esophagitis that has been diagnosed as erosive by endoscopy
Maintaining the healing process of the erosive esophagitis
Usual Adult Dose for Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage:
Suspension for oral use: omeprazole 40 mg taken orally, followed by 40 mg 6–8 hours later, followed by 40 mg once daily for the next 7 days.
The duration of the treatment Duration of therapy: 14 days
Comment: The controlled studies didn't extend beyond 12 months.
Use: Reduced the risk of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients who are critically ill.
Interaction with other drugs
Inform your doctor about all the medications you take. Numerous drugs can interact with Zegerid, including:
- Clopidogrel;
- Cyclosporine;
- Digoxin;
- Methotrexate;
- Rifampin;
- John's wort
The list below isn't exhaustive, and a variety of other medications could be incompatible with omeprazole or sodium bicarbonate. This includes over-the-counter and prescription medicine, vitamins, and herbal products. The interactions of all drugs are included here.
