Hospital Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-6pm | Saturday: 8am-4pm
(519) 896-0532
If your dog has a condition of its stomach where stomach acid is providing more harm than benefit, your vet may have recommended or prescribed omeprazole. Omeprazole for dogs is a safe antacid that we commonly use. In this article, I will review how omeprazole works, why we use it, the side effects and potential drug interactions.
Omeprazole is the active ingredient in common brands such as Prilosec and Losec. It works by reducing stomach acid production.
The most common reasons for us using omeprazole for dogs would be stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis). We'll discuss these and other potential uses of omeprazole in more detail below.
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor in the stomach. By inhibiting this pump, stomach acid production is reduced.
A drawback of omeprazole is that it doesn't work as fast as other antacids. It can take a few days before a clinical response can be seen. I usually advise that benefits are seen in 2-4 days after starting.
In most cases, the dose of omeprazole for dogs is 0.5 to 1mg per kilogram of your dog's weight, and given once daily (every 24 hours).
Your veterinarian may use slightly different doses, depending on the condition they are treating in your dog.
Omeprazole is mainly used to treat stomach diseases, but there are many other reasons why we may use it in dogs.
As omeprazole decreases stomach acid production, it is very useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding and stomach ulcers in dogs.
Omeprazole can also be used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus. This can lead to symptoms such as excessive swallowing, gagging, and regurgitation.
For dogs that have been diagnosed with Helicobacter, omeprazole is used to help create an environment in the stomach that is less favourable for this bacteria to survive.
Omeprazole may also be used in the management of syringomyelia, a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the spinal cord. Omeprazole can also decrease CSF fluid production, making it useful in treating hydrocephalus.
Dogs with kidney disease have a backup of kidney toxins in their bloodstream, and they are very acidic, which can irritate the lining of the esophagus and stomach in severe cases. Omeprazole helps to protect the lining by reducing stomach acid production.
Many dogs with arthritis or other inflammatory conditions are on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help manage their pain. Examples include Metacam®, Deramaxx® and Rimadyl®.Chronic NSAID use can impair the healing capacity of the stomach, making it more sensitive to a naturally high acid environment.
Omeprazole is a safe medication when given at the correct dose prescribed by your veterinarian.
The most common side effect of omeprazole that I see is vomiting. Occasionally, I will see my patients develop diarrhea.
Normally, I recommend omeprazole to be given on an empty stomach, but for those dogs that vomit as a side effect, I recommend giving it with food.
Omeprazole changes stomach acidity, which can change the absorption of certain medications. This means some drugs might become less effective or too potent.
Omeprazole has been known to cause interference in the following medications when given together:
Please review all medications your dog is currently taking before starting omeprazole. Your vet can help decide on how to proceed.
Omeprazole for dogs is typically given orally in the form of a tablet, capsule, or liquid. The dose and frequency will be determined by your vet, based on your individual dog and what condition they are treating.
It has been proven that omeprazole should be given 30-60 minutes before eating to have the best benefit of acid reduction. In the event your dog vomits when given on an empty stomach, I usually recommend giving it with food, as this helps reduce the chances of vomiting.
Normally, omeprazole is given once daily, every 24 hours, but in some cases, we can dose it every 12 hours. Your veterinarian will be able to advise when twice-daily dosing is required for your dog.
Yes, a study has revealed that omeprazole is better than famotidine (e.g. Pepcid AC®, Zantac®) in reducing stomach acid in dogs.
It generally takes omeprazole 24-72 hours to start working. However, some dogs may see a reduction in stomach acid production within 24 hours.
Although omeprazole can be given long-term if needed, I generally do not use it longer than 3 months.
Omeprazole affects the stomach pH levels, which can impact the absorption of some medications. Please review all medications with your veterinarian prior to starting omeprazole. Or if your dog is already on omeprazole, and another medication is to be started.
If you have any questions or concerns about using omeprazole in your dog, please contact your veterinarian.
