4.1. Therapeutic indications

Losec capsules are indicated for:

Adults

• Treatment of duodenal ulcers

• Prevention of relapse of duodenal ulcers

• Treatment of gastric ulcers

• Prevention of relapse of gastric ulcers

• In combination with appropriate antibiotics, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in peptic ulcer disease

• Treatment of NSAID‑associated gastric and duodenal ulcers

• Prevention of NSAID‑associated gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients at risk

• Treatment of reflux oesophagitis

• Long-term management of patients with healed reflux oesophagitis

• Treatment of symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

• Treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

Paediatric use

Children over 1 year of age and ≥ 10 kg

• Treatment of reflux oesophagitis

• Symptomatic treatment of heartburn and acid regurgitation in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Children and adolescents over 4 years of age

• In combination with antibiotics in treatment of duodenal ulcer caused by H. pylori

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults

Treatment of duodenal ulcers

The recommended dose in patients with an active duodenal ulcer is Losec 20 mg once daily. In most patients healing occurs within two weeks. For those patients who may not be fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further two weeks treatment period. In patients with poorly responsive duodenal ulcer Losec 40 mg once daily is recommended and healing is usually achieved within four weeks.

Prevention of relapse of duodenal ulcers

For the prevention of relapse of duodenal ulcer in H. pylori negative patients or when H. pylori eradication is not possible the recommended dose is Losec 20 mg once daily. In some patients a daily dose of 10 mg may be sufficient. In case of therapy failure, the dose can be increased to 40 mg.

Treatment of gastric ulcers

The recommended dose is Losec 20 mg once daily. In most patients healing occurs within four weeks. For those patients who may not be fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further four weeks treatment period. In patients with poorly responsive gastric ulcer Losec 40 mg once daily is recommended and healing is usually achieved within eight weeks.

Prevention of relapse of gastric ulcers

For the prevention of relapse in patients with poorly responsive gastric ulcer the recommended dose is Losec 20 mg once daily. If needed the dose can be increased to Losec 40 mg once daily.

H. pylori eradication in peptic ulcer disease

For the eradication of H. pylori the selection of antibiotics should consider the individual patient's drug tolerance, and should be undertaken in accordance with national, regional and local resistance patterns and treatment guidelines.

• Losec 20 mg + clarithromycin 500 mg + amoxicillin 1 000 mg, each twice daily for one week, or

• Losec 20 mg + clarithromycin 250 mg (alternatively 500 mg) + metronidazole 400 mg (or 500 mg or tinidazole 500 mg), each twice daily for one week or

• Losec 40 mg once daily with amoxicillin 500 mg and metronidazole 400 mg (or 500 mg or tinidazole 500 mg), both three times a day for one week.

In each regimen, if the patient is still H. pylori positive, therapy may be repeated.

Treatment of NSAID‑associated gastric and duodenal ulcers

For the treatment of NSAID‑associated gastric and duodenal ulcers, the recommended dose is Losec 20 mg once daily. In most patients healing occurs within four weeks. For those patients who may not be fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further four weeks treatment period.

Prevention of NSAID‑associated gastric and duodenal ulcers in patients at risk

For the prevention of NSAID‑associated gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers in patients at risk (age > 60, previous history of gastric and duodenal ulcers, previous history of upper GI bleeding) the recommended dose is Losec 20 mg once daily.

Treatment of reflux oesophagitis

The recommended dose is Losec 20 mg once daily. In most patients healing occurs within four weeks. For those patients who may not be fully healed after the initial course, healing usually occurs during a further four weeks treatment period.

In patients with severe oesophagitis Losec 40 mg once daily is recommended and healing is usually achieved within eight weeks.

Long-term management of patients with healed reflux oesophagitis

For the long-term management of patients with healed reflux oesophagitis the recommended dose is Losec 10 mg once daily. If needed, the dose can be increased to Losec 20 mg to 40 mg once daily.

Treatment of symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

The recommended dose is Losec 20 mg daily. Patients may respond adequately to 10 mg daily, and therefore individual dose adjustment should be considered.

If symptom control has not been achieved after four weeks treatment with Losec 20 mg daily, further investigation is recommended.

Treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

In patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome the dose should be individually adjusted and treatment continued as long as clinically indicated. The recommended initial dose is Losec 60 mg daily. All patients with severe disease and inadequate response to other therapies have been effectively controlled and more than 90% of the patients maintained on doses of Losec 20 mg to 120 mg daily. When dose exceed Losec 80 mg daily, the dose should be divided and given twice daily.

Paediatric population

Children over 1 year of age and ≥ 10 kg

Treatment of reflux oesophagitis

Symptomatic treatment of heartburn and acid regurgitation in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

The posology recommendations are as follows:

Age

Weight

Posology

≥ 1 year of age

10 to 20 kg

10 mg once daily. The dose can be increased to 20 mg once daily if needed

≥ 2 years of age

> 20 kg

20 mg once daily. The dose can be increased to 40 mg once daily if needed

Reflux oesophagitis: The treatment time is 4 to 8 weeks.

Symptomatic treatment of heartburn and acid regurgitation in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: The treatment time is 2 to 4 weeks. If symptom control has not been achieved after 2 to 4 weeks the patient should be investigated further.

Children and adolescents over 4 years of age

Treatment of duodenal ulcer caused by H. pylori

When selecting appropriate combination therapy, consideration should be given to official national, regional and local guidance regarding bacterial resistance, duration of treatment (most commonly 7 days but sometimes up to 14 days), and appropriate use of antibacterial agents.

The treatment should be supervised by a specialist.

The posology recommendations are as follows:

Weight

Posology

15 to 30 kg

Combination with two antibiotics: Losec 10 mg, amoxicillin 25 mg/kg body weight and clarithromycin 7.5 mg/kg body weight are all administered together two times daily for one week.

31 to 40 kg

Combination with two antibiotics: Losec 20 mg, amoxicillin 750 mg and clarithromycin 7.5 mg/kg body weight are all administered two times daily for one week.

> 40 kg

Combination with two antibiotics: Losec 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g and clarithromycin 500 mg are all administered two times daily for one week.

Special populations

Renal impairment

Dose adjustment is not needed in patients with impaired renal function (see section 5.2).

Hepatic impairment

In patients with impaired hepatic function a daily dose of 10 mg to 20 mg may be sufficient (see section 5.2).

Elderly

Dose adjustment is not needed in the elderly (see section 5.2).

Method of administration

It is recommended to take Losec capsules in the morning, swallowed whole with half a glass of water. The capsules must not be chewed or crushed.

For patients with swallowing difficulties and for children who can drink or swallow semi-solid foodPatients can open the capsule and swallow the contents with half a glass of water or after mixing the contents in a slightly acidic fluid e.g. fruit juice or applesauce, or in non-carbonated water. Patients should be advised that the dispersion should be taken immediately (or within 30 minutes) and always be stirred just before drinking and rinsed down with half a glass of water.

Alternatively, patients can suck the capsule and swallow the pellets with half a glass of water. The enteric-coated pellets must not be chewed.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance, substituted benzimidazoles or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Omeprazole like other proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) must not be used concomitantly with nelfinavir (see section 4.5).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

In the presence of any alarm symptom (e.g. significant unintentional weight loss, recurrent vomiting, dysphagia, haematemesis or melena) and when gastric ulcer is suspected or present, malignancy should be excluded, as treatment may alleviate symptoms and delay diagnosis.

Co-administration of atazanavir with proton pump inhibitors is not recommended (see section 4.5). If the combination of atazanavir with a proton pump inhibitor is judged unavoidable, close clinical monitoring (e.g. virus load) is recommended in combination with an increase in the dose of atazanavir to 400 mg with 100 mg of ritonavir; omeprazole 20 mg should not be exceeded.

Omeprazole, as all acid-blocking medicines, may reduce the absorption of vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) due to hypo- or achlorhydria. This should be considered in patients with reduced body stores or risk factors for reduced vitamin B12 absorption on long-term therapy.

Omeprazole is a CYP2C19 inhibitor. When starting or ending treatment with omeprazole, the potential for interactions with drugs metabolised through CYP2C19 should be considered. An interaction is observed between clopidogrel and omeprazole (see section 4.5). The clinical relevance of this interaction is uncertain. As a precaution, concomitant use of omeprazole and clopidogrel should be discouraged.

Severe hypomagnesaemia has been reported in patients treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole for at least three months, and in most cases for a year. Serious manifestations of hypomagnesaemia such as fatigue, tetany, delirium, convulsions, dizziness and ventricular arrhythmia can occur, but they may begin insidiously and be overlooked. In most affected patients, hypomagnesaemia improved after magnesium replacement and discontinuation of the PPI.

For patients expected to be on prolonged treatment or who take PPIs with digoxin or drugs that may cause hypomagnesaemia (e.g. diuretics), healthcare professionals should consider measuring magnesium levels before starting PPI treatment and periodically during treatment.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), which can be life-threatening or fatal, have been reported very rarely and rarely, respectively in association with omeprazole treatment.

Proton pump inhibitors, especially if used in high doses and over long durations (> 1 year), may modestly increase the risk of hip, wrist and spine fracture, predominantly in the elderly or in presence of other recognised risk factors. Observational studies suggest that proton pump inhibitors may increase the overall risk of fracture by 10 to 40%. Some of this increase may be due to other risk factors. Patients at risk of osteoporosis should receive care according to current clinical guidelines and they should have an adequate intake of vitamin D and calcium.

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE)

Proton pump inhibitors are associated with very infrequent cases of SCLE. If lesions occur, especially in sun-exposed areas of the skin, and if accompanied by arthralgia, the patient should seek medical help promptly and the health care professional should consider stopping Losec. SCLE after previous treatment with a proton pump inhibitor may increase the risk of SCLE with other proton pump inhibitors.

Renal impairment

Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) has been observed in patients taking omeprazole and may occur at any point during omeprazole therapy (see section 4.8). Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis can progress to renal failure.

Omeprazole should be discontinued in case of suspected TIN, and appropriate treatment should be promptly initiated.

Interference with laboratory tests

Increased Chromogranin A (CgA) level may interfere with investigations for neuroendocrine tumours. To avoid this interference, omeprazole treatment should be stopped for at least 5 days before CgA measurements (see section 5.1). If CgA and gastrin levels have not returned to reference range after initial measurement, measurements should be repeated 14 days after cessation of proton pump inhibitor treatment.

Some children with chronic illnesses may require long-term treatment although it is not recommended.

Losec contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Treatment with proton pump inhibitors may lead to slightly increased risk of gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Campylobacter and, in hospitalised patients, possibly also Clostridioides difficile (see section 5.1).

As in all long-term treatments, especially when exceeding a treatment period of 1 year, patients should be kept under regular surveillance.

Losec capsules contain less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per capsule, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Effects of omeprazole on the pharmacokinetics of other active substances

Active substances with pH dependent absorption

The decreased intragastric acidity during treatment with omeprazole might increase or decrease the absorption of active substances with a gastric pH dependent absorption.

Nelfinavir, atazanavir

The plasma levels of nelfinavir and atazanavir are decreased in case of co-administration with omeprazole.

Concomitant administration of omeprazole with nelfinavir is contraindicated (see section 4.3). Co‑administration of omeprazole (40 mg once daily) reduced mean nelfinavir exposure by ca. 40% and the mean exposure of the pharmacologically active metabolite M8 was reduced by ca. 75 to 90%. The interaction may also involve CYP2C19 inhibition.

Concomitant administration of omeprazole with atazanavir is not recommended (see section 4.4). Concomitant administration of omeprazole (40 mg once daily) and atazanavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg to healthy volunteers resulted in a 75% decrease of the atazanavir exposure. Increasing the atazanavir dose to 400 mg did not compensate for the impact of omeprazole on atazanavir exposure. The co‑administration of omeprazole (20 mg once daily) with atazanavir 400 mg/ritonavir 100 mg to healthy volunteers resulted in a decrease of approximately 30% in the atazanavir exposure as compared to atazanavir 300 mg/ritonavir 100 mg once daily.

Digoxin

Concomitant treatment with omeprazole (20 mg daily) and digoxin in healthy subjects increased the bioavailability of digoxin by 10%. Digoxin toxicity has been rarely reported. However, caution should be exercised when omeprazole is given at high doses in elderly patients. Therapeutic drug monitoring of digoxin should then be reinforced.

Clopidogrel

Results from studies in healthy subjects have shown a pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamic (PD) interaction between clopidogrel (300 mg loading dose/75 mg daily maintenance dose) and omeprazole (80 mg p.o. daily) resulting in a decreased exposure to the active metabolite of clopidogrel by an average of 46% and a decreased maximum inhibition of (ADP induced) platelet aggregation by an average of 16%.

Inconsistent data on the clinical implications of a PK/PD interaction of omeprazole in terms of major cardiovascular events have been reported from both observational and clinical studies. As a precaution, concomitant use of omeprazole and clopidogrel should be discouraged (see section 4.4).

Other active substances

The absorption of posaconazole, erlotinib, ketoconazole and itraconazole is significantly reduced and thus clinical efficacy may be impaired. For posaconazole and erlotinib concomitant use should be avoided.

Active substances metabolised by CYP2C19 Omeprazole is a moderate inhibitor of CYP2C19, the major omeprazole metabolising enzyme. Thus, the metabolism of concomitant active substances also metabolised by CYP2C19, may be decreased and the systemic exposure to these substances increased. Examples of such drugs are R-warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists, cilostazol, diazepam and phenytoin.

Cilostazol

Omeprazole, given in doses of 40 mg to healthy subjects in a cross-over study, increased Cmax and AUC for cilostazol by 18% and 26% respectively, and one of its active metabolites by 29% and 69% respectively.

Phenytoin

Monitoring phenytoin plasma concentration is recommended during the first two weeks after initiating omeprazole treatment and, if a phenytoin dose adjustment is made, monitoring and a further dose adjustment should occur upon ending omeprazole treatment.

Unknown mechanism

Saquinavir

Concomitant administration of omeprazole with saquinavir/ritonavir resulted in increased plasma levels up to approximately 70% for saquinavir associated with good tolerability in HIV‑infected patients.

TacrolimusConcomitant administration of omeprazole has been reported to increase the serum levels of tacrolimus. A reinforced monitoring of tacrolimus concentrations as well as renal function (creatinine clearance) should be performed, and dosage of tacrolimus adjusted if needed.

Methotrexate

When given together with proton-pump inhibitors, methotrexate levels have been reported to increase in some patients. In high-dose methotrexate administration a temporary withdrawal of omeprazole may need to be considered.

Effects of other active substances on the pharmacokinetics of omeprazole

Inhibitors of CYP2C19 and/or CYP3A4 Since omeprazole is metabolised by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4, active substances known to inhibit CYP2C19 or CYP3A4 (such as clarithromycin and voriconazole) may lead to increased omeprazole serum levels by decreasing omeprazole's rate of metabolism. Concomitant voriconazole treatment resulted in more than doubling of the omeprazole exposure. As high doses of omeprazole have been well-tolerated adjustment of the omeprazole dose is not generally required. However, dose adjustment should be considered in patients with severe hepatic impairment and if long-term treatment is indicated.

Inducers of CYP2C19 and/or CYP3A4

Active substances known to induce CYP2C19 or CYP3A4 or both (such as rifampicin and St John's wort) may lead to decreased omeprazole serum levels by increasing omeprazole's rate of metabolism.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Results from three prospective epidemiological studies (more than 1 000 exposed outcomes) indicate no adverse effects of omeprazole on pregnancy or on the health of the foetus/newborn child. Omeprazole can be used during pregnancy.

Breast-feeding

Omeprazole is excreted in breast milk but is not likely to influence the child when therapeutic doses are used.

Fertility

Animal studies with the racemic mixture omeprazole, given by oral administration do not indicate effects with respect to fertility.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Losec has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However, adverse drug reactions such as dizziness and visual disturbances may occur (see section 4.8). If affected, patients should not drive or operate machinery.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile

The most common side effects (1 to 10% of patients) are headache, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence and nausea/vomiting.

Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported in association with omeprazole treatment (see section 4.4).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions

The following adverse drug reactions have been identified or suspected in the clinical trials programme for omeprazole and post-marketing. None was found to be dose-related. Adverse reactions listed below are classified according to frequency and System Organ Class (SOC). Frequency categories are defined according to the following convention: Very common (≥ 1/10), Common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), Uncommon (≥ 1/1 000 to < 1/100), Rare (≥ 1/10 000 to < 1/1 000), Very rare (< 1/10 000), Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

SOC/frequency

Adverse reaction

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Rare:

Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia

Very rare:

Agranulocytosis, pancytopenia

Immune system disorders

Rare:

Hypersensitivity reactions e.g. fever, angioedema and anaphylactic reaction/shock

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Rare:

Hyponatraemia

Not known:

Hypomagnesaemia; severe hypomagnesaemia may result in hypocalcaemia.

Hypomagnesaemia may also be associated with hypokalaemia.

Psychiatric disorders

Uncommon:

Insomnia

Rare:

Agitation, confusion, depression

Very rare:

Aggression, hallucinations

Nervous system disorders

Common:

Headache

Uncommon:

Dizziness, paraesthesia, somnolence

Rare:

Taste disturbance

Eye disorders

Rare:

Blurred vision

Ear and labyrinth disorders

Uncommon:

Vertigo

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Rare:

Bronchospasm

Gastrointestinal disorders

Common:

Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea/vomiting, fundic gland polyps (benign)

Rare:

Dry mouth, stomatitis, gastrointestinal candidiasis

Not known:

Microscopic colitis

Hepatobiliary disorders

Uncommon:

Increased liver enzymes

Rare:

Hepatitis with or without jaundice

Very rare:

Hepatic failure, encephalopathy in patients with pre-existing liver disease

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Uncommon:

Dermatitis, pruritus, rash, urticaria

Rare:

Alopecia, photosensitivity, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS)

Very rare:

Erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)

Not known:

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (see section 4.4)

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Uncommon:

Fracture of the hip, wrist or spine

Rare:

Arthralgia, myalgia

Very rare:

Muscular weakness

Renal and urinary disorders

Rare:

Tubulointerstitial nephritis (with possible progression to renal failure)

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Very rare:

Gynaecomastia

General disorders and administration site conditions

Uncommon:

Malaise, peripheral oedema

Rare:

Increased sweating

Paediatric population

The safety of omeprazole has been assessed in a total of 310 children aged 0 to 16 years with acid-related disease. There are limited long-term safety data from 46 children who received maintenance therapy of omeprazole during a clinical study for severe erosive oesophagitis for up to 749 days. The adverse event profile was generally the same as for adults in short- as well as in long-term treatment. There are no long-term data regarding the effects of omeprazole treatment on puberty and growth.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

There is limited information available on the effects of overdoses of omeprazole in humans. In the literature, doses of up to 560 mg have been described, and occasional reports have been received when single oral doses have reached up to 2 400 mg omeprazole (120 times the usual recommended clinical dose). Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and headache have been reported. Also, apathy, depression and confusion have been described in single cases.

The symptoms described have been transient, and no serious outcome has been reported. The rate of elimination was unchanged (first order kinetics) with increased doses. Treatment, if needed, is symptomatic.