Maxor (Omeprazole)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Maxor Used For?
Maxor contains omeprazole, which belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors. It works by reducing the amount of acid made by your stomach to provide relief from symptoms and allow healing to take place. This doesn’t stop food from being digested normally.
Primary Uses
Maxor is used to treat and prevent gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and reflux oesophagitis from returning. It treats peptic ulcers (gastric and duodenal ulcers), peptic ulcers associated with helicobacter pylori infection, peptic ulcers caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and a rare condition called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome where the stomach produces very large amounts of acid.
How It Works
Maxor reduces the amount of acid made by your stomach, which gives relief from symptoms like heartburn and allows ulcers to heal. For H. pylori infections, it’s taken with antibiotics – the antibiotics kill the bacteria while Maxor allows the ulcers to heal.
Good to know: There is no evidence that Maxor is addictive.
How to Take Maxor
Take Maxor exactly as your doctor has prescribed. The usual dose is 20 mg once daily, but your doctor may adjust this based on your condition.
Dosage Instructions
Take one Maxor capsule at the same time each day unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water – do not crush or chew them as the granules won’t work properly if damaged. Maxor can be taken with or without food. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you to, typically 4 to 8 weeks to properly heal an ulcer or treat reflux disease.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your capsules normally. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re meant to.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea or vomiting
- wind (gas)
- stomach pain
- headache
- dizziness
- skin rash
- itchy skin
- dry or sore mouth
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- severe skin reactions with rash, itching, redness, blistering or peeling
- ulcers, blisters or bleeding of lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals
- blood in urine
- swelling of hands, feet or ankles
- yellowing of skin or eyes
- feeling generally unwell with nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
- muscle pain or weakness, joint pain
- mood changes, confusion or depression
- blurred vision
- increased bruising or bleeding
- vomiting blood or food
- passing black or blood-stained motions
Important Warnings
Before taking Maxor, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Maxor
Do not take Maxor if you are allergic to omeprazole, any proton pump inhibitor medicines, or any ingredients listed in the medicine. Do not take it if you are also taking cilostazol (a medicine for intermittent claudication). Do not use if the packaging is damaged or past the expiry date.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives; liver problems; have been diagnosed with osteoporosis; have any other medical conditions; take medicines for other conditions; or have ever had a skin reaction after treatment with similar stomach acid-reducing medicines.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Maxor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless your doctor says so. It is not known if it’s safe during pregnancy or if it passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor about the risks and benefits if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Serious Skin Reactions: Serious skin reactions including erythema multiforme, Stevens Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and DRESS have been reported. Stop using Maxor and seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms of serious skin reactions.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Maxor and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you’re taking.
- cilostazol (do not take together)
- phenytoin (epilepsy medicine)
- warfarin and clopidogrel (blood clot prevention)
- digoxin (heart conditions)
- diazepam (anxiety treatment)
- St John’s Wort (herbal mood disorder remedy)
- ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole (fungal infections)
- clarithromycin, rifampicin (bacterial infections)
- atazanavir, nelfinavir (HIV treatment)
- tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil (transplant medicines)
- methotrexate (arthritis and cancer treatment)
- erlotinib (cancer treatment)
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Maxor, and discuss these activities with your healthcare provider.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake as it can irritate the stomach and may worsen your condition.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Maxor affects you. The medication may cause dizziness or other side effects that could impair your ability to drive safely.
Storage
Keep your Maxor capsules in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills as heat and dampness can destroy the medicine. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Maxor, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach pain, diarrhea, headache and confusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
To properly heal an ulcer or treat reflux disease, you will need to take Maxor for 4 to 8 weeks. Your doctor will tell you exactly how long you need to take it based on your specific condition.
Yes, Maxor can be taken with or without food. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember.
No, there is no evidence that Maxor is addictive.
Do not stop taking Maxor or change the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you stop suddenly or change the dose, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake as alcohol can irritate the stomach and may make your condition worse.
If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your capsules normally. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
No, you must swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew them because if the granules inside are crushed or chewed, they will not work properly.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.