SECLO

Description

SECLO Capsule: Omeprazole 20mg

SECLO Capsule is a medication that contains Omeprazole 20mg. It’s an acid-reducing drug, classified as a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI), which works by blocking the production of acid in your stomach. It’s manufactured by Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Availability: SECLO is available in Nepal in packs of 10 capsules, with a retail price of NPR 5.01.

What is SECLO Capsule Used For? (Indications)

SECLO Capsule is used to treat conditions caused by too much stomach acid, including:

• Peptic ulcers (ulcers in the stomach or small intestine)
• H. pylori infection (a bacterial infection that can cause ulcers, used in combination with antibiotics)
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux or heartburn
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a rare condition causing high acid production)
• Oesophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach)
• Acid-related dyspepsia (indigestion caused by acid)
• NSAID-associated ulceration (ulcers caused by certain pain relievers like ibuprofen)
• Prophylaxis of acid aspiration during general anesthesia (preventing stomach acid from entering the lungs during surgery)
• Erosive oesophagitis (damage to the esophagus lining due to acid reflux)

How to Take SECLO Capsule (Administration)

Important: Always take SECLO Capsule on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before meals. Swallow the capsule whole; do not chew or crush it.

If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you can carefully open it and sprinkle the entire contents into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow this mixture immediately after preparing it, without chewing. Do not store the drug/food mixture for later use.

If you have a MUPS tablet form of omeprazole (not specified for SECLO but common for omeprazole), it can usually be taken with or without food. If you have a regular capsule (not delayed-release), it should be taken with food, immediately before a meal. Always follow the specific instructions on your medication’s packaging or from your doctor.

Dosage Information

Adult Dosing

• Peptic Ulcer:
  • Treatment: 20 mg or 40 mg once daily (for severe cases) for 4 weeks (duodenal ulcer) or 8 weeks (gastric ulcer).
  • Maintenance: 10-20 mg once daily.
  • All doses should be taken once in the morning.
• NSAID-Associated Ulceration: 20 mg once daily in the morning.
• Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD):
  • Treatment: 20 mg once daily for 4 weeks. May continue for another 4-8 weeks if necessary.
  • Refractory Oesophagitis: 40 mg once daily.
  • Maintenance: 20 mg once daily (after oesophagitis heals); 10 mg once daily (for acid reflux).
  • All doses should be taken once in the morning.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:
  • Initial: 60 mg once daily in the morning, adjusted as needed.
  • Dose Range: 20-120 mg per day.
  • Doses greater than 80 mg should be given in 2 divided doses.
• Prophylaxis of Acid Aspiration (during general anesthesia): 40 mg the evening before surgery and another 40 mg 2-6 hours before the operation.
• Acid-Related Dyspepsia: 10 or 20 mg once daily in the morning for 2-4 weeks.
• Erosive Oesophagitis:
  • Treatment: 20 mg per day for 4-8 weeks.
  • Maintenance of healing: 20 mg per day for up to 12 months.
  • All doses should be taken once in the morning.
• H. pylori Infection:
  • Triple Therapy (7 or 10 days duration):
    • 20 mg twice daily OR 40 mg once daily combined with:
      • Amoxicillin 500 mg and Metronidazole 400 mg (both three times daily) OR
      • Clarithromycin 250 mg and Metronidazole 400 mg (or Tinidazole 500 mg) (both twice daily) OR
      • Amoxicillin 1 g and Clarithromycin 500 mg (both twice daily).
  • Dual Therapy (2 weeks duration):
    • 20 mg twice daily OR 40 mg per day combined with:
      • Amoxicillin 750 mg to 1 g twice daily OR
      • Clarithromycin 500 mg three times daily.

Intravenous (IV) Dosing (for adults when oral administration isn’t possible)

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; Gastric and duodenal ulcers; NSAID-associated ulceration: 40 mg once daily, infused over 20-30 minutes or given as a slow injection over 5 minutes, until oral administration is possible.
• Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome:
  • Initial: 60 mg per day, adjusted based on your response.
  • Daily doses greater than 60 mg per day should be given in 2 divided doses.

Child Dosing (Oral)

• GERD (Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease):
  • Under 1 year: Safety and efficacy have not been established.
  • Over 1 year:
    • 5-10 kg: 5 mg by mouth once daily
    • 10-20 kg: 10 mg by mouth once daily
    • Over 20 kg: 20 mg by mouth once daily
• Erosive Esophagitis (Treatment and to maintain healing):
  • Aged 1 month to less than 1 year: (May be treated for up to 6 weeks)
    • 3 to less than 5 kg: 2.5 mg once daily
    • 5 to less than 10 kg: 5 mg once daily
    • Over 10 kg: 10 mg once daily
  • Aged 1-16 years: (May be treated for 4-8 weeks)
    • 5 to less than 10 kg: 5 mg by mouth once daily
    • 10 to less than 20 kg: 10 mg by mouth once daily
    • Over 20 kg: 20 mg by mouth once daily

Dosage Adjustments for Specific Conditions

• Elderly: No dosage adjustment is typically needed.
• Hepatic Impairment (Liver Problems): 10-20 mg per day.
• Renal Impairment (Kidney Problems): No dosage adjustment is typically needed.

Important Precautions

• Gastric Malignancy: Your doctor should rule out stomach cancer before you start taking SECLO.
• Pregnancy & Lactation: Use with caution during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Omeprazole distributes into human breast milk.
• Children: Not recommended for children under 1 year of age.
• Monitoring: Your doctor may monitor your magnesium levels before starting treatment and periodically thereafter.

Potential Drug Interactions

SECLO can interact with other medicines, potentially changing their effects or increasing side effects. Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements.

• Increased risk of low magnesium (hypomagnesaemia) with diuretics (water pills).
• May increase INR and prothrombin time when taken with warfarin (a blood thinner).
• Increased risk of digoxin-induced cardiotoxic effects (heart problems).
• May increase blood levels of certain benzodiazepines (like diazepam), clarithromycin, and methotrexate.
• Decreased absorption of some antifungal medications (itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole), dasatinib, and iron supplements.
• May prolong the elimination of diazepam, cilostazol, phenytoin, and ciclosporin.
• May reduce the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel (a blood thinner).
• Potentially Fatal Interactions: May significantly decrease blood levels and the effects of certain HIV medications like rilpivirine, nelfinavir, and atazanavir.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, SECLO can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common Side Effects (1-10%):

• Headache (7%)
• Abdominal pain (5%)
• Diarrhea (4%)
• Nausea (4%)
• Vomiting (3%)
• Flatulence (3%)
• Dizziness (2%)
• Upper respiratory infection (2%)
• Acid regurgitation (2%)
• Constipation (2%)
• Rash (2%)
• Cough (1%)

Less Common or Rare Side Effects (Frequency Not Defined):

• Bone fractures, including hip fractures (osteoporosis-related)
• Hepatotoxicity (liver damage)
• Agranulocytosis (a serious drop in certain white blood cells)
• Anorexia (loss of appetite)
• Gastric polyps (growths in the stomach lining)
• Alopecia (hair loss)
• Atrophic gastritis (chronic stomach inflammation)
• Interstitial nephritis (kidney inflammation)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue)
• Taste perversion (altered taste)
• Abnormal dreams
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (a rare, severe skin reaction)

Potentially Fatal Side Effect:

• Anaphylaxis (a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction)

How SECLO Works (Mechanism of Action)

Omeprazole, the active ingredient in SECLO, is a type of medicine called a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI). It works by blocking the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme system, which is found on the surface of the cells in your stomach that produce acid. This enzyme is responsible for the final step in stomach acid secretion. By inhibiting it, omeprazole effectively reduces both the normal (basal) acid production and the acid produced after meals.

Please Note: This information about SECLO 20mg Capsule is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.