Losec (Omeprazole) 10mg Gastro-Resistant 28 Capsules

The doctor’s instructions should always be followed exactly when taking Losec10mg capsules. Your doctor will tell you how many capsules to take, how long to take them for and this will depend on your age and condition. You can take your capsules with food or on an empty stomach and it is recommended that they be taken in the morning.  The capsules should be swallowed whole with water and not chewed or crushed as they contain a coated pellet which stops the medicine from being broken down by the acid in your stomach.

Losec are hard gastro-resistant capsules which contain 10mg of omeprazole as the active substance.  They also contain disodium phosphate dehydrate, hydroxypropylcellulose, hypromellose, lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, mannitol, methacrylic acide – ethyl acrylate copolymer (1:1) dispersion 30 per cent, cellulose microcrystalline, macrogol (polyethylene glycol 400), sodium laurilsulfate, iron oxide E172, titanium dioxide E171, gelatine, printing ink (containing shellac, ammonia, potassium hydroxide and black iron oxide E172) silica colloidal anhydrous and paraffin liquid. 

If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Losec 10mg capsules or medicines containing any proton pump inhibitors, or taking medicine which contains nelfinavir (for HIV infection) or unsure at all, speak to your doctor before taking these capsules. If you are taking any medication at all, even non-prescription medication, tell you doctor before taking Losec capsules.
If you lose a lot of weight for no reason, have problems swallowing, get stomach pain or indigestion, begin to vomit food or blood, pass black stools (blood-stained faeces) have severe liver problems, have severe or persistent diarrhoea then talk to your doctor straight away.
Losec 10mg capsules can, like any medication, cause side effects but not everyone will be affected. The following side effects are rare but serious and if any of them are noticed, stop taking Omeprazole capsules and immediately contact your doctor.
The symptoms may include sudden wheezing, swelling of your lips, tongue and throat or body, rash, fainting or difficulties in swallowing (severe allergic reaction), reddening of the skin with blisters or peeling. There may also be severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. This could be 'Stevens-Johnson syndrome' or 'toxic epidermal necrolysis'.  Yellow skin, dark urine and tiredness which can be symptoms of liver problems. Other uncommon side effects may be headache, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, wind (flatulence), feeing sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting). Possible uncommon side effects could be swelling of the feet and ankles, disturbed sleep, dizziness, tingling feelings such as 'pins and needles', spinning feeling (vertigo), feeling sleepy, changes in blood tests that check how the liver is working, skin rash, lumpy rash (hives) and itchy skin.  Also generally feeling unwell and lacking energy, fracture of the hip, wrist or spine.
Blood problems such as a reduced number of white cells or platelets, which can cause bruising, weakness, or make infections more likely. Allergic reactions, sometimes very severe including swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, fever, wheezing. Low levels of sodium in the blood which may cause weakness, being sick (vomiting) and cramps. Feeling agitated, confused or depressed, taste changes, eyesight problems such as blurred vision, suddenly feeling wheezy or short of breath (bronchospasm). Dry mouth, an inflammation of the inside of the mouth. An infection called 'thrush' which can affect the gut and is caused by a fungus. Liver problems, including jaundice which can cause yellow skin, dark urine and tiredness. Hair loss (alopecia), increased sweating, skin rash on exposure to sunshine.  Joint pains (arthralgia) or muscle pains (myalgia), severe kidney problems (interstitial nephritis).
Very rare side effects could be changes in blood count including agranulocytosis (lack of white blood cells) seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), aggression. Severe liver problems leading to liver failure and inflammation of the brain. Sudden onset of a severe rash or blistering or peeling skin. This may be associated with a high fever and joint pains (Erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis). Muscle weakness, enlarged breasts in men, or possibly affecting the white blood cells leading to immune deficiency.  If any symptoms occur and you contact your doctor, it is important that you give information about your medicine at this time. You may not get any of these side effects but if you notice any symptoms at all, even those not listed above, tell your doctor straight away.  If you are taking Losec 10mg capsules for more than three months it is possible that the levels of magnesium in your blood may fall which can be seen as fatigue, involuntary muscle contractions, convulsions, disorientation, dizziness or increase in heart rate.  If you experience any of these symptoms, tell your doctor straight away.  Your doctor may monitor your levels of magnesium with regular blood tests.