Zol 20

Description

Zol 20 Capsule: Omeprazole 20mg

Zol 20 Capsule contains Omeprazole 20mg, an acid-reducing medication known as a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI). It works by significantly decreasing the amount of acid your stomach produces. Zol 20 is manufactured by National Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.

Availability: Zol 20 is available in Nepal in packs of 10 capsules, with a retail price of NPR 4.00.

What is Zol 20 Capsule Used For? (Indications)

Zol 20 Capsule is prescribed to treat conditions caused by excessive stomach acid, including:

• Peptic ulcers (duodenal and gastric ulcers)
• H. pylori infection (a bacterial infection often treated in combination with antibiotics)
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly known as acid reflux or heartburn
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (a rare condition causing very high acid production)
• Oesophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
• Acid-related dyspepsia (indigestion linked to acid)
• NSAID-associated ulceration (ulcers caused by anti-inflammatory pain relievers)
• Prophylaxis of acid aspiration during general anesthesia (to prevent stomach acid from entering the lungs during surgery)
• Erosive oesophagitis (damage to the esophageal lining from acid)

How to Take Zol 20 Capsule (Administration)

Important: Always take Zol 20 Capsule on an empty stomach, ideally at least 1 hour before meals. Swallow the capsule whole; do not chew or crush it.

If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you can carefully open it and sprinkle its entire contents onto a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow this mixture immediately without chewing. Do not store the mixture for later use.

If you have a powder for oral suspension formulation of Omeprazole (not specified for Zol 20 but common), it should also be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before a meal. If you have a MUPS tablet form, it can generally be taken with or without food. If it’s a regular capsule (not delayed-release), take it with food, immediately before a meal. Always follow the specific instructions on your medication packaging or from your healthcare provider.

Dosage Information

Adult Dosing (Oral)

• Peptic Ulcer:
  • Treatment: 20 mg or, for severe cases, 40 mg once daily. Continue for 4 weeks for duodenal ulcers or 8 weeks for gastric ulcers.
  • 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. Can extend for another 4-8 weeks if needed.
  • 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 required.
  • 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 procedure.
• 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 can resume.
• 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

• Contraindications: Do not use Zol 20 if you have a known hypersensitivity (allergy) to omeprazole or any of its ingredients.
• Precautions:
  • Your doctor should rule out gastric malignancy (stomach cancer) before starting treatment.
  • Use with caution during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding). Omeprazole distributes into human breast milk.
  • Not recommended for children under 1 year of age.
  • Monitoring: Magnesium levels may need to be monitored before starting treatment and periodically thereafter.
• Drug Interactions: Zol 20 can interact with other medications, potentially altering their effects or increasing the risk of side effects. Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.
  • Increased risk of hypomagnesaemia (low magnesium) 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-related problems).
  • May increase plasma concentrations of certain benzodiazepines (e.g., 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 plasma concentrations and the pharmacological effects of certain HIV medications, including rilpivirine, nelfinavir, and atazanavir.

Possible Side Effect

Like all medicines, Zol 20 can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience 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 osteoporosis-related fractures (e.g., hip fracture)
• 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 inflammation of the stomach lining)
• Interstitial nephritis (kidney inflammation)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle tissue)
• Taste perversion (altered sense of taste)
• Abnormal dreams
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (a rare, severe skin reaction)

Potentially Fatal Side Effect:

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

How Zol 20 Works (Mechanism of Action)

Omeprazole, the active ingredient in Zol 20, is a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI). It functions by specifically blocking the H+/K+ ATPase enzyme system, which is found on the secretory surface of the gastric parietal cells in your stomach. This enzyme is crucial for the final step in producing stomach acid. By inhibiting this system, omeprazole effectively reduces both basal (normal) and stimulated (e.g., after eating) acid secretion.

Disclaimer: This information about Zol 20 Capsule is provided for general knowledge and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare provider. Always consult with a doctor or pharmacist for any health concerns or before starting any new medication.