Omeprazole

Proton Pump Inhibitor (Systemic Drug)

Prescriber Highlights

• Used to treat gastroduodenal ulceration and prevent or treat gastric erosions caused by ulcerogenic drugs 

• Omeprazole was found superior to famotidine when used to prevent exercise-induced ulceration; also found to significantly suppress gastric acid production better than famotidine 

• Well tolerated in most animals

Uses, Indications

• Useful for treatment and/or prophylaxis of gastric and duodenal ulcers

• Used in dogs as part of a triple therapy (with clarithromycin and amoxicillin) for treatment of Helicobacter spp infection

• May reduce cerebrospinal fluid production in dogs

• May be useful for conditions that cause intracranial hypertension

Contraindications, Precautions

• Contraindications

Patients with hypersensitivity to omeprazole 

• Precautions

Patients with significantly impaired hepatic or renal function, as drug half-life may be prolonged

Side Effects

• Well tolerated in dogs and cats at effective doses 

• GI side effects (eg, anorexia, colic, vomiting, diarrhea), hematologic abnormalities, proteinuria, or CNS side effects can occur

Drug Interactions

• May decrease drug absorption of medications requiring decreased gastric pH (eg, ampicillin, ketoconazole, iron)

• May reduce transformation of clopidogrel to active metabolite

• May alter benzodiazepine metabolism and prolong CNS effects

• May decrease oral cyanocobalamin (ie, vitamin B12) absorption 

• May reduce cyclosporine metabolism

• May increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin

• May increase digoxin bioavailability

• Serum levels may decrease when used concurrently with rifampin

Laboratory Considerations

• May cause increased liver enzymes

• Increased serum gastrin levels may be noted early in therapy

Monitoring

• Clinical efficacy and adverse effects

Client Information

• Works best if given before first meal of the day

• Used to prevent stomach ulcers

• Use is usually short-term

Dosage Forms

• Both veterinary- and human-labeled products are available:

  • Omeprazole tablets, including: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg

  • Omeprazole oral suspension: 2 mg/mL

—Compiled and summarized from Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs by Shannon Palermo, VMD

Information about this drug was adapted from Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs. Further details and more therapeutics can be found with a subscription at plumbsveterinarydrugs.com