Zegerid

Zegerid is used for the treatment of certain conditions where hyperacidity in the stomach. It is used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

GERD is a chronic digestive condition where the acid in the stomach flows back up into the esophagus. This drug is used in combination with antibiotics to treat ulcers associated with H. pylori bacterial infection.

This drug is used as prophylaxis against upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in seriously ill patients. This drug works by decreasing the amount of acid produced by the stomach and neutralizes the excess acid in the stomach. This drug requires a prescription.

Before using Zegerid, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications. Studies in children regarding the correlation of age to the effects of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate combination have not been performed while safety and efficacy have not been established.

Studies in the elderly have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the utility of omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate combination. Adverse effects have been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women or animals are still inadequate.

Infant risk is still undetermined when using this drug during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits of taking this drug while breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as:

• Rilpivirine
• Amphetamine
• Atazanavir
• Bendamustine
• Bosutinib
• Cilostazol
• Citalopram
• Clopidogrel
• Clorazepate
• Clozapine
• Dabrafenib
• Dasabuvir
• Dasatinib
• Delavirdine
• Elvitegravir
• Erlotinib
• Eslicarbazepine Acetate
• Gefitinib
• Indinavir
• Ketoconazole
• Ledipasvir
• Memantine
• Methotrexate
• Mycophenolate
• Mofetil
• Mycophenolic Acid
• Nelfinavir
• Nilotinib
• Ombitasvir
• Paritaprevir
• Pazopanib
• Ritonavir
• Saquinavir
• Tacrolimus
• Topotecan
• Vismodegib
• Armodafinil
• Carbamazepine
• Cranberry
• Dasatinib
• Digoxin
• Disulfiram
• Fluconazole
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Iron
• Levothyroxine
• Raltegravir
• St John's Wort
• Tipranavir
• Triazolam
• Voriconazole
• Or Warfarin

Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects. Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Inform your healthcare professional if you have any other medical problems such as Bartter's syndrome, diarrhea, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, osteoporosis, respiratory alkalosis, seizures, or liver disease.

To use Zegerid properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Talk to your healthcare professional before using this drug if you are on a low-sodium diet or if you have or are at risk for congestive heart failure, as this drug contains sodium.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking calcium supplements on a regular basis. Both of the 20 and 40 milligrams oral suspension packets or capsules contain the same amount of sodium bicarbonate. Substituting two 20 milligrams oral suspension packets or capsules with one 40 mg oral suspension packets or capsules is recommended.

This drug must be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal. Feeding should be temporarily stopped about 3 hours before and 1 hour after administration of ZegeridВ® powder for oral suspension for patients receiving continuous feeding through a tube.

The capsules must be swallowed whole with water. Avoid taking it with other liquids, breaking, crushing, or chewing it, or opening it and sprinkling the contents on food. The packet of powder must be emptied into a small cup containing 1 to 2 tablespoons of water.

Using other liquids or foods is not recommended. The mixture must be stirred well and drank immediately. Refill cup with water and drink. Mix the packet of powder with approximately 20 mL of water if you are using the powder for oral suspension with a nasogastric or orogastric tube.

Stir well and draw up into the appropriately sized syringe. Give the drug through the nasogastric or orogastric tube into the stomach immediately. Refill the syringe with an equal amount of water. Shake and flush any remaining contents from the nasogastric or orogastric tube into the stomach.

The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed. The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug.

Adults with duodenal ulcers, erosive esophagitis, and GERD are given 20 milligrams once a day at least 1 hour before a meal. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose if needed. Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional.

Adults with gastric ulcers are given 40 milligrams once a day at least 1 hour before a meal. Your healthcare professional may adjust your dose if needed. Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional.

To prevent upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding in seriously ill patients, 40 milligrams must be given in the first day for the first dose, then after 6 to 8 hours, a second 40 mg dose. 40 mg once a day must be given after the first day for up to 14 days.

Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional. A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.

Store the drug in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.

Before using Zegerid, there are some precautions you must take. Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness of the drug. Unwanted effects can be screened using blood, urine, and other laboratory tests.

Check with your healthcare professional if your condition does not improve, or if it becomes worse. Notify your healthcare professional if you have Asian relatives, such as Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or Taiwanese.

A lower dose of this drug may be needed for the treatment of erosive esophagitis. This drug is sometimes given together with other drugs to treat ulcers. Consult with your healthcare professional about the risks and proper use of any other drug you are advised to take together with omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate combination.

Prolonged use of this drug can cause atrophic gastritis. Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you have symptoms of acute interstitial nephritis such as fever, joint pain, skin rash, swelling of the body, feet, or ankles, or unusual weight gain after receiving this drug.

Prolonged use of this drug may interfere with absorption of vitamin B12. Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you have watery stool that does not go away, stomach pain, and fever while taking this drug.

Increased doses of this drug or prolonged use of more than a year may increase your risk of having fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine. Hypomagnesemia is more likely to occur if you are taking this drug for more than one year, or if you are taking this drug together with digoxin or certain diuretics or "water pills".

Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you have convulsions (seizures), fast, racing, or uneven heartbeat, muscle spasms, tremors, or unusual tiredness or weakness. Check with your healthcare professional before you stop taking this drug.

Inform any health care professional or dentist who treats you that you are using this drug. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Zegerid to avoid unwanted potential side effects. Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur. 

Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:

• Black, tarry stools
• Bleeding gums
• Blood in the urine or stools
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Cough
• Decreased urine
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Fainting
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fever or chills
• Headache
• Increased thirst
• Lightheadedness
• Loss of appetite
• Mood or mental changes
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Muscle spasms or twitching
• Nausea or vomiting
• Nervousness
• Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• Pale skin
• Pinpoint red spots on the skin
• Pounding in the ears
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Seizures
• Slow heartbeat
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Sweating
• Tightness in the chest
• Trembling
• Troubled breathing
• Troubled breathing with exertion
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
• Bladder pain
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Bone pain
• Chest discomfort
• Cloudy urine
• Coma
• Decreased urine output
• Difficult or troubled breathing
• Difficult, burning, or painful urination
• Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Headache
• Irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• Irritability
• Lower back or side pain
• Muscle cramps in the hands, arms, feet, legs, or face
• Restlessness
• Swelling
• Swelling of the face, feet, lower legs, ankles, or hands
• Weakness or heaviness of the legs
• Severe pain in the chest
• Sudden onset of severe breathing difficulty
• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• Blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin
• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• Chest tightness or heaviness
• Constipation
• A cough or hoarseness
• Dark-colored urine
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Fever with or without chills
• General body swelling
• General feeling of tiredness or weakness
• Greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• High fever, hives or skin rash
• Indigestion
• Joint or muscle pain
• Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• Light-colored stools
• Noisy breathing
• Nosebleeds
• Pain with swallowing
• Pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• Puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• Rapid weight gain
• Red skin lesions, often with a purple center, red
• Irritated eyes
• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• Stomach pain
• Continuing sweating swollen glands
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising
• Unusual weight gains or loss
• Weight gain
• Yellow eyes or skin
• Or symptoms of overdose such as feeling of warmth
• Increased sweating
• Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.