Generic Prilosec

Common use

This medicine is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat ulcers, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux, erosive esophagitis, or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and also ulcers generated by long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). To treat ulcers caused by bacterial infections this medicine may be used in combination with antibiotics such as amoxicillin or clarithromycin. Prilosek significantly alleviates such their symptoms as heartburn, difficulty swallowing, coughing, and sleep problems. Prilosek works by blocking acid production in the stomach. The medicine may be used to treat other conditions diagnosed by your doctor.



Dosage and directions

Follow all the directions provided by your doctor. Take this medication (15-30 mg) orally once a day in morning before a meal with a full glass of water or according to your doctor's recommendations. Swallow the tab whole, do not chew, crush, or open the capsule as may destroy the drug and/or increase side effects. Antacids drugs can be taken together with this medicine, if necessary. Dosage and duration of treatment depends on your medical condition and response to the therapy. Take it the same time each day to avoid missing a dose. In the case of aggravation or worsening of your illness notify your doctor immediately. It may take 1 - 4 days before Prilosek acts in full measure. Treatment with Prilosec should not be stopped even if certain amelioration is achieved. Improvement of symptoms is observed within 4 to 8 weeks in treatment of gastric ulcers or reflux disease. Treatment of heartburn usually lasts for 14 days. If heartburn persists after this period of time or even worsens, or if you need more than one course of treatment every 4 months, contact your doctor or pharmacist.



Precautions

Prilosec is not recommended during pregnancy. Breastfeeding when using this drug is not recommended as it is not known whether it gets into breast milk. Tell your doctor if allergic reaction appears. Your doctor or pharmacist should be aware of your health problems, to provide health care, especially if you have problems such as liver disease, other stomach problems (e.g. tumors), heartburn over 3 months, unexplained weight loss, constant nausea/vomiting /stomach pain, blood in vomit or black stools. Some symptoms may witness about a more serious condition. This medicine may cause dizziness. Be careful performing work associated with concentration of attention, such as driving or operating mechanisms. Restrict consumption of alcoholic beverages. Start or interruption in taking any medicine should be be approved by your doctor. If you do not notice any improvement of your symptoms or if they even become worse, inform your doctor about it. Do not share this medicine with anybody with similar symptoms. Do not use this medicine to treat other diseases.



Contraindications

Hypersensitivity.



Possible side effects

Adverse reactions that may disappear during treatment include headache, constipation, cough, dizziness, or rash. If they continue or are bothersome, let your doctor know about it. An allergic reaction to this medicine is not expected, but seek immediate medical help if it happens. Symptoms of an allergic reaction appear as rash, itching, dizziness, swelling, or difficult breathing. If you notice other reactions of your body which are not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.



Drug interaction

Prilosec can decreases elimination of diazepam, warfarin and phenytoin. These are medications metabolized in the liver by oxidation. Drugs which are metabolized with help of cytochrome P-450 system (e.g. cyclosporine, disulfiram, benzodiazepines) may also interact with Prilosec because it is metabolized the same way. Clarithromycin is also metabolized by cytochrome P450, concomitant administration of clarithromycin with Prilosec may result in increases in plasma levels of Prilosec. Concomitant use of Prilosec and clarithromycin may result in increases in plasma levels of erithromycin, and 14-hydroxy-clarithromycin. You may need additional monitoring of your condition if you are taking ampicillin, cilostazol, cyclosporine, diazepam, digoxin, disulfiram, iron, itraconazole, ketoconazole, moclobemide, phenytoin, sucralfate, vorconizole, or warfarin. This medicine may be combined with antacids if they were prescribed by your doctor. Potent acid-reducing drugs such as Prilosec diminish the effectiveness of sucralfate, and other medicaitons such as the antifungals ketoconazole and itraconazole. If instructed to take any of these medicines while taking Prilosec, consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the proper timing of each dose, usually Prilosec is taken 30 minutes before sucralfate.



Missed dose

If you missed a dose take the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time of your next dose just skip its intake and return to your regular schedule.



Overdose

If suppose that took too much of Prilosec contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose are confusion, blurred vision, unusual sweating, or unusually fast heartbeat.



Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 F (15-25 C). Do not expose to high humidity or keep in a bathroom. Hide Prilosec away from children and pets. If your treatment requires an extended period of time, take care about refills before your supply is over.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)