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What are the side effects of Okalan use in infants? : Use of Okalan in infants (children < 1 year of age) may commonly cause diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, and flatulence. It may make infants irritable and inconsolable and difficult to sleep. Long-term use may cause inflammation of the pancreas, irritable colon, stool discoloration, growth of fungus in food pipe, stomatitis, abdominal swelling, mucosal atrophy of the tongue and decrease absorption of vitamins and minerals. Some may have severe allergic reactions also.|Can I take Okalan with clopidogrel? : Okalan can be safely taken with clopidogrel. No clinically important changes in the action of clopidogrel have been seen when Okalan and clopidogrel are used together.|How is Okalan given through the nasogastric tube? : Open the Okalan capsule and empty the granules into a syringe. Mix the contents with apple juice in the syringe and attach it to the nasogastric (NG) tube and give directly into the stomach. Once given, flush the NG tube with more apple juice to clear the tube.|Does long term use of Okalan is associated with side effects? : Patients taking Okalan for a long period of time (a year or longer) may have decreased calcium levels leading to an increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, or spine. It can also decrease magnesium levels when used for more than 3 months. Long-term use may also cause inflammation of stomach lining (atrophic gastritis). Take Okalan only at the dose and for duration advised by your doctor|Why does Okalan cause diarrhea? : Use of Okalan lowers the natural stomach acid which normally helps to kill bacteria. So, use of Okalan leads to overgrowth of the harmful bacteria which can cause diarrhea. This is known as Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD). Inform your doctor if you have loose stools many times in a day and for many days with stomach cramps and fever.|Does Okalan cause burping? : Burping also known as belching or eructations is a side effect seen with Okalan use. Other common side effects associated are nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.|Is Okalan a CYP3A4 inhibitor? : No, Okalan does not inhibit CYP3A4, it inhibits other subtypes of CYP enzymes namely, CYP2C19 and CYP2C9. However, there are no significant drug-drug interactions because of this property.|Is Okalan safe to use? : Okalan is safe to use when taken at doses and for a duration strictly as advised by the doctor. However, there are some common side effects associated with its use includes nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.|Why does Okalan cause a sore throat? : Sore throat occurs in less than 1% of the patients who take Okalan but the reason for the same is not known.|Can I use Okalan with antacids? : Okalan can be taken with antacids like aluminum hydroxide, magnesium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate. However, antacids should be taken two hours before or one hour after taking Okalan because it requires a lower pH for its action and antacids can increase the pH of the stomach and decrease the action of Okalan.|Why do Okalan cause vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis? : Okalan decreases calcium absorption leading to calcium deficiency. So, it increases the risk of osteoporosis (thinning of bones) and bone fractures on long-term use, like hip, wrist or spine fractures. Inform your doctor if you have osteoporosis or if you are taking corticosteroids (they increase the risk of osteoporosis) before starting your therapy. Take enough calcium and vitamin D to reduce the risk.|Does Okalan increase appetite (make you hungry)? : Yes, Okalan can increase appetite and make you feel hungry. This is reported to be an uncommon side effect seen with the use of Okalan.|What is the role of Okalan in the treatment of Hpylori? : Okalan is used along with antibiotics for the treatment of H.Pylori infection. It works by decreasing stomach acid volume and breakdown and washout of antibiotics leading to an increase in antibiotic concentration and tissue penetration. It also helps in the symptomatic relief by decreasing associated acidity, reflux, and heartburn.|Is Okalan a vesicant? : A vesicant is a substance which causes blistering and tissue injury. Okalan is not a vesicant. It is a proton pump inhibitor used for the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.|Why does Okalan cause weight gain? : Weight gain is reported in less than 1% of the patients taking Okalan but the exact cause is unknown. One of the possible explanation is higher food intake once the reflux symptoms are relieved. Lifestyle modifications such as proper diet and avoidance of overeating should be observed to avoid weight gain.|Can I take Okalan with ibuprofen? : Yes, Okalan can be taken with ibuprofen. Okalan can be used to prevent ibuprofen (painkillers) induced gastritis and stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. Moreover, there are no clinically significant interactions of Okalan with ibuprofen. |Does Okalan treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? : Okalan is not routinely used for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is given if there is associated dyspepsia or increased stomach acid secretion. IBS is managed with a combination of antispasmodics (to relieve stomach pain), laxatives (to relieve constipation), and anti-motility drugs (to relieve diarrhea).|Can I take Okalan with aspirin? : Yes, you can take Okalan with aspirin. However, Okalan decreases stomach acid and makes stomach juices alkaline. This can decrease absorption of aspirin and break the enteric coating of the formulations. However, these interactions are minor and can be avoided by taking the medicines at a time gap.|Can I take Okalan with prednisolone? : Okalan can be taken with steroids like prednisolone. Okalan is used to prevent prednisolone (steroid) induced gastritis and stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. No drug-drug interactions or harmful effects have been seen when Okalan is used with prednisolone.|Can I take Okalan with hyoscine? : Yes, hyoscine can be taken with Okalan. They are given together as hyoscine can help in better relief when given with Okalan. However, some studies in normal individuals have also shown that hyoscine can decrease the effect of Okalan. So, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking them together.|Is Okalan used to treat a cough? : Okalan is used for the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers and can help in providing relief in a chronic cough that may happen due to acid reflux. However, it is not used to treat a cough due to cold, flu or throat infections.|While taking Okalan : You should preferably avoid foods that cause acidity and heartburn as they would aggravate your disease condition, for example: fried foods, prepared in butter or oil, fat rich foods, tomato-based foods and juices, caffeinated drinks like cola, tea, drinks from citrus fruits like lemon water or orange juice and alcohol-containing drinks.|Does Okalan cause dry mouth? : Yes, use of Okalan is associated with dry mouth, however, this is not a very common side. Some common side effects seen with Okalan use are nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.|Does Okalan make you tired? : Yes, use of Okalan makes you feel tired (fatigue) very commonly. Some other common side effects seen with its use are nausea, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence.|Is Okalan used to treat nausea? : Okalan is used for the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers and can help in providing relief in nausea that may happen due to acid reflux. It is not used to treat nausea due to any other cause. Rather, nausea is one of the most common side effect of Okalan.|Can I take Okalan with paracetamol? : Yes, you can take Okalan with paracetamol. Okalan is used to prevent paracetamol (painkillers) induced gastritis and stomach ulcers by decreasing the production of acid in the stomach. There are no clinically significant drug-drug interactions or harmful effects seen when they are used together.|IS it safe to take Okalan with vitamin C (ascorbic acid)? : Yes, Okalan can be taken with vitamin C (ascorbic acid). There are no drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects seen when they are used together.|Is it safe to take Okalan with naproxen? : Okalan can be taken with naproxen. No drug-drug interactions or any harmful effects have been reported when they are used together.|Is Okalan used for children? : Yes, Okalan is used in the management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and erosive gastritis in children. However, the safety and effectiveness of Okalan are established only in children between 1 to 17 years of age.|Is Okalan a controlled substance? : Okalan is not a controlled substance. It's a prescription medicine and is available on providing a valid prescription by a doctor.|Is Okalan a beta blocker? : No, Okalan is not a beta blocker. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.|Is Okalan a probiotic? : No,Okalan is not a probiotic. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers. A probiotic is a substance, which is helpful in diarrhea.|Is Okalan a narcotic substance? : Okalan is a not a narcotic substance and has not been reported to have any abuse potential. Okalan does not get you high and does not cause any addiction as no withdrawal symptoms have been reported when you stop taking this drug.|Is Okalan an antibiotic? : No, Okalan is not an antibiotic. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers. An antibiotic is a medicine, which is used to treat infections.|Is Okalan a sulfa drug? : No,Okalan is not a sulfa drug. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.|Is Okalan a steroid? : No, Okalan is not a steroid. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.|Is Okalan a NSAID? : No, Okalan is not a NSAID. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers. NSAIDs are painkillers, which are used to treat pain.|Is Okalan a statin? : No, Okalan is not a statin. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.|Is Okalan a laxative? : No,Okalan is not a laxative. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers. A laxative is a medicine, which is used to treat constipation.|Is Okalan a diuretic? : No,Okalan is not a diuretic. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers. A diuretic is a medicine, which removes excess water and electrolytes from the body through urine.|Is Okalan a prescription drug? : Okalan is a prescription medicine and is available on providing a valid prescription by a doctor.|Is Okalan an H2 blocker? : No,Okalan is not an H2 blocker. It is a Proton pump inhibitor is used in the treatment of acidity, heartburn, intestinal ulcers and stomach ulcers.
