Ciprofloxacin

About your medication
O M E P R A Z O L E
E n t e r i c c o a t e d b e a d f o r m u l a t i o n s : ( L o s e c ® 1 0 m g a n d 2 0 m g t a b l e t s A c i m a x ® , O m e p r a l ® 2 0 m g t a b l e t s P r o b i t o r ® 2 0 m g c a p s u l e s ) Only enteric coated bead formulations are suitable for dosing in children unable to swallow tablets whole, or in children who require doses less than a whole tablet WHAT IS OMEPRAZOLE?
Omeprazole is a medication called a proton pump inhibitor. It is only available on a doctor’s prescription WHAT IS IT FOR?
It is used in the treatment of reflux oesophagitis (discomfort caused when stomach contents are brought up continually after feeding) and stomach ulcers. During reflux the stomach acid causes irritation of the food pipe (oesophagus). Omeprazole is used to reduce the amount of acid made by the stomach. Taking omeprazole can be an important part of the treatment of reflux by helping to reduce the irritation. HOW TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE
It is important that this medication is taken only as directed and is not given to other
people. The dose varies for each patient.
Omeprazole is normally taken once or twice a day. It does not matter whether
omeprazole is given with food or on an empty stomach.
GIVING OMEPRAZOLE TO BABIES OR SMALL CHILDREN
There is no commercial omeprazole mixture. Your pharmacist or doctor can advise
how to give omeprazole, as there are many different methods available depending
on the age and condition of your child.
Each tablet/capsule is made of compressed beads which have a special coating to protect the medication from the stomach acid. It is very important that the beads are not crushed or dissolved before taking, as this stops the medication from working properly. If your child has a feeding tube, your doctor may prescribe a mixture to be made by
your pharmacy to stop the beads from sticking to the tube and blocking it. The
mixture is not as effective as the tablets/capsules so should only be used if the
medication needs to be administered by feeding tube.
* The RCH pharmacy may prepare special dosage forms (e.g. mixtures) if you have
a prescription written by a RCH doctor. These may take some time to prepare, so
please notify the RCH pharmacy 2-3 working days in advance.
TO GIVE A DOSE (using Losec, Acimax, or Omepral tablets)
 Use an oral medicine syringe. Pull the plunger out of the syringe and cap the end. Place half or one tablet (depending on the dose) into the barrel of the syringe.  Add 5mL of cold water (do not use warm or hot water), replace the plunger so that  Shake the syringe thoroughly so that the tablet disintegrates and disperses  Working quickly, measure the correct dose in the syringe (discard any amount not  Administer the correct dose directly into the mouth immediately after shaking the syringe. If any beads are left in the syringe, use some more water and administer the remaining beads. TO GIVE A DOSE (using Probitor capsules)  Estimate the required amount of beads for dose (either quarter, half or whole  Mix the beads with a small amount of some soft food. This can be fruit pulp or gel or other pureed food. The uncrushed beads can then be given in this food. WHAT TO DO IF A DOSE IS MISSED
If you miss a dose of the medication it can be taken as soon as you remember. Do
not take the dose if there is less than 6 hours before the next dose; just take the
next dose as normal. Do not double-up on any doses.
STORING THE MEDICINE
It is important to keep omeprazole locked away out of the reach of children. Do not keep the capsules or tablets in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in other damp, warm places because this may make them less effective. Store in a cool, dry place, away from heat and direct light. The mixture should be stored in the fridge and away from direct light. USE OF OTHER MEDICINES
Care must be taken when using omeprazole with some other medications. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any prescription medicine or medicine purchased without prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket, or health food shop. This is important for  phenytoin - a medicine used to treat epilepsy or fits  warfarin - a medicine used to prevent blood clots  ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole - medicines used to treat fungal  tacrolimus - a medicine used to assist in organ transplants This list is not complete. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions with any over-the-counter or complementary medicines or recreational substances (e.g. alcohol). POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects can occur while taking omeprazole. Some of these are not serious and will go away with time or after the dose has been changed. Others are more serious and require you to check with your doctor. Less serious side effects include:
 nausea and/or vomiting
More Serious (Contact doctor as soon as possible if any of the following occur):
 muscle pain or weakness, ‘pins and needles’, increased bruising
 signs of liver inflammation including yellowing of the skin or eyes, feeling generally unwell, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. Allergic reaction (Stop medicine and see doctor immediately):
Skin rash, itching or hives, swollen mouth or lips, wheezing or difficulty breathing
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT Your Child’s Doctor via the RCH Switchboard
on 03 9345 5522
Pharmacy Department on 03 9345 5492
IN CASE OF POISONING OR OVERDOSE CONTACT POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE 13 11 26
(24 hour service)
This leaflet answers some common questions about your child’s medicine. It does not contain all available information. It does not take the place of talking to your child’s doctor or pharmacist. The leaflet may differ from information in the manufacturer’s Consumer Medicine Information. The information in this leaflet reflects the usage of medicine under medical supervision by patients of The Royal Children’s Hospital. Medicine may be used in children in different ways or for different reasons than in adults - for more information see the leaflet "". This leaflet includes information current at the time of review of the document – OCTOBER 2010.

Source: http://www.wch.org.au/emplibrary/pharmacy/Omeprazole.pdf