Opal-20 Capsule belongs to the class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach ulcer, and Zollinger Ellison syndrome (overproduction of acid due to pancreatic tumour). Normally a thick layer of mucous protects the stomach against its own acid secretion. But, in the long run, it gets eroded by excessive stomach acid production, leading to complications like GERD, peptic ulcer, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Opal-20 Capsule contains omeprazole, which helps reduce stomach acid by blocking the actions of an enzyme (H+/K+ ATPase or gastric proton pump). This proton pump lies in the stomach wall cells and is responsible for releasing gastric acid secretion. Opal-20 Capsule prevents the release of stomach acid and relieves symptoms of food pipe lining inflammation (esophagitis), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or heartburn.

Opal-20 Capsule may cause common side effects like stomach pain, gas formation (flatulence), nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and headache. These side effects are temporary and may be resolved after some time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, contact the doctor.

Opal-20 Capsule should not be given to the patient suffering from Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problems, are allergic to any components in Opal-20 Capsule , or will have an endoscopy in the future. Ask your doctor if you should stop taking Opal-20 Capsule a few weeks before your endoscopy as it may hide some of the problems that would be spotted during an endoscopy. Prolonged use of Opal-20 Capsule may be associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine due to loss of magnesium. Avoid using Opal-20 Capsule with St John’s Wort (plant-based antidepressant), rifampin (antibiotic) and methotrexate (anti-cancer and anti-arthritis medicine) due to the severe drug interaction.

Opal-20 Capsule is effective at healing erosive esophagitis (inflammation of food pipe), relieving symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, stomach ulcers. Opal-20 Capsule works by irreversibly blocking the proton pump gate (which secretes stomach acid). 

• Stomach pain
• Gas formation (flatulence)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Headache

Opal-20 Capsule should not be given to the patient suffering from Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or intestinal cancer, liver problems, are allergic to Opal-20 Capsule or will have an endoscopy in the future. Ask your doctor if you should stop taking Opal-20 Capsule a few weeks before your endoscopy as it may hide some of the problems that would be spotted during an endoscopy. Prolonged use of Opal-20 Capsule may be associated with an increased risk for osteoporosis-related fractures of the hip, wrist or spine due to loss of magnesium. Avoid using Opal-20 Capsule with St John’s Wort (plant-based antidepressant), rifampin (antibiotic) and methotrexate (anti-cancer and anti-arthritis medicine) due to the severe drug interaction.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Opal-20 Capsule may interact with a blood thinner (clopidogrel, warfarin), antifungal (ketoconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole), anti-HIV drug (atazanavir, nelfinavir), iron supplements, antibiotic (ampicillin, rifampicin), heart medicine (digoxin) and anti-cancer drug (methotrexate). Let your doctor know if you are taking these medicines.

Drug-Food Interactions: Opal-20 Capsule interact with St John's wort plant that is used as an anti-depressant. This plant may affect the working of Opal-20 Capsule . So avoid its intake with Opal-20 Capsule .

Drug-Disease Interactions: Opal-20 Capsule should be not given in patients with C. difficile induced colitis, liver disease, bone fractures, low Vitamin B12 (anaemia), low magnesium (hypomagnesemia).

• CLOPIDOGREL
• WARFARIN
• KETOCONAZOLE
• VORICONAZOLE
• ITRACONAZOLE
• POSACONAZOLE
• ATAZANAVIR
• NELFINAVIR
• AMPICILLIN
• RIFAMPICIN
• DIGOXIN
• METHOTREXATE

• Avoid intake of acid or heartburn triggering foods or drinks like onions, peppermint, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus fruits or juices, tomatoes and high-fat and spicy foods.
• Before going to sleep try to raise your bedhead so that your head and chest are higher than your feet. Do not use piles of pillows, instead, one raised block is fine. This will not allow the stomach acid to backflow through your food pipe.
• Avoid taking alcohol and smoking cigarette. Alcohol can raise the level of production of stomach acid leading to heartburn and acid reflux. On the other hand, nicotine smoking damages the valve (sphincter) which prevents backflow of the stomach acid back into the food pipe.
• Include high fibre containing foods, berries, cherries, leafy green veggies (kale, spinach) and black peppers in your meal. These foods are full of antioxidant, calcium and vitamin B 12 that can help cope with the long term effects of the medicine. Fermented dairy products like miso, sauerkraut, and kimchi contain probiotics which help in the prevention of excess stomach acid production. Cranberry juice can be beneficial in the peptic ulcer and H Pyroli infection.
• Avoid regular sitting continuously, as it can increase stomach acid production. Try to take a break of 5 minutes in 1 hour by brisk walking or stretching.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): It is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the food pipe (oesophagus). This backflow (acid reflux) irritates the food pipe and causes heartburn. 

Peptic ulcers: It is a painful condition followed by the development of sores or ulcers in the stomach lining or duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) (the duodenum). 

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: It is a rare condition in which a gastrin-secreting pancreas tumour causes excessive acid production, leading to peptic ulcers.