Omeprazole is a common antacid medication used in human medicine and is considered one of the “essential medicines” by the World Health Organization[1]. Omeprazole is used to treat a number of ailments and diseases that can appear in our dogs. Canines frequently experience digestive problems, especially given their reputation for indiscriminate eating. This prompts the question, “Can dogs take omeprazole?,” but it doesn’t mean we should just grab a pill from the medicine cabinet and give it to them.
Here at AnimalWised, we go into great detail about omeprazole for dogs, paying close attention to its dosage, application, and side effects. Before we continue, we would like to remind you that any medication given to your pet should first be approved by a licensed veterinarian. You may also be interested in:
As mentioned in the introduction, dogs may take omeprazole to treat specific conditions. When this medication is used without a veterinary prescription, the issue is most prevalent. It is understandable that some dog guardians would want to administer their own medication to their dog because it is a common medication in a home first aid kit. It is reasonable to assume that we can administer the medication to humans if it has the same chemical composition as it does for dogs.
Our dogs’ symptoms may give us a clue as to what is wrong with them. Unfortunately, while the dog’s symptoms might point to one issue, the actual cause is different. A skilled veterinarian is the best person to make a proper diagnosis. When administering omeprazole to our dog, we must be aware of the proper indication and dosage.
Even though taking omeprazole in small doses is unlikely to result in serious poisoning, we could be doing one of two things. First off, we might be giving the dog a medication that only masks the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying cause. The drug will only postpone diagnosis and might even make the long-term issue worse if the dog has conditions other than mild digestive issues, like complications from tumors.
Second, using omeprazole without a prescription could be more harmful than helpful. A drug is only effective if administered properly. In a research published in 2018[2], omeprazole and a variety of other proton pump inhibitors (drugs inhibiting stomach acid production) were examined. This study demonstrated how little is still known about how drugs affect dogs. For instance, it was determined that once-daily omeprazole administered by PO was ineffective. It also covered how omeprazole might impact a dog’s metabolism, particularly if they are taking other medications at the same time.
The ability to administer medications to your animals is a skill that veterinarians are required by law to possess. Because of this, they will be able to make an accurate diagnosis, recommend the medication, and provide you with any other information necessary for the dog’s recovery.
Are there any drug interactions I should be aware of?
Certain antibiotics, benzodiazepines, clopidogrel, cyanocobalamin, cyclosporine, digoxin, diuretics, levothyroxine, phenobarbital, and warfarin may all interact with omeprazole. In order to establish a suitable dosing schedule, inform your veterinarian about any medications (including vitamins, supplements, or herbal treatments) that your pet is taking.
How long will omeprazole take to work?
You understandably want your dog to feel better as soon as possible when they have stomach issues. For some dogs, experiencing some relief from gastritis or esophagitis may only take 24 to 48 hours. However, it may take two to four days of continuous omeprazole use to experience its full effects. This is because it takes a few days to inhibit proton pumps sufficiently to notice a significant change.
It’s also crucial to keep in mind that omeprazole always performs better when taken on an empty stomach when aiming for maximum effectiveness. The ideal time to administer the omeprazole to your dog is about an hour before breakfast. This is due to the fact that parietal cells produce more H+/K+ ATPase when a fast is prolonged (such as overnight). This means that omeprazole can inhibit more targets, which will improve the way acid production is reduced.
What dosage forms does omeprazole come in?
Additionally, the veterinarian frequently recommends the omeprazole form that would be most effective for your dog. Omeprazole is marketed for use in humans and is available as tablets, capsules, and a liquid. These are frequently the choices that veterinarians make for dogs as well. The over-the-counter omeprazole 20 mg tablet or caplet, which is taken orally, is the most widely used dosage form. But omeprazole is also offered in 10 mg and 40 mg dosages. There is also an omeprazole liquid option for small dogs.
There are oral pastes and granule formulations available, but these are designed specifically for horses and have a higher omeprazole concentration. Given that horses weigh significantly more than dogs, this makes sense. However, it also makes using these dosage forms for the majority of dogs rather impractical.
Unfortunately, there is no injectable form of omeprazole. However, an intravenous formulation of pantoprazole, a relative of omeprazole, is offered. This is useful for patients in a hospital setting.
Warning: Although omeprazole is available over-the-counter, it is best to consult your veterinarian before giving it to your dog. It’s important to give your dog the appropriate dose of omeprazole for maximum effectiveness because it isn’t appropriate for every dog or every circumstance.
FAQ
What happens if a dog eats omeprazole?
Dogs, cats, and horses tolerate omeprazole generally well, but it has the potential to cause vomiting (not in horses), decreased appetite (eating less), excessive gas, and diarrhea.
How much omeprazole can a dog take?
Omeprazole dosage information for dogs and cats The usual dose given to dogs and cats is 0. 25 to 0. 5 mg per pound (0. 5 to 1. 0 mg/kg), every 24 hours or once daily. The length of treatment depends on the condition being treated, how well the medication works, and whether any side effects appear.
Can you use human omeprazole for dogs?
This means that veterinarians will administer omeprazole to dogs outside of the prescribed dosage for humans. But don’t worry, veterinarians routinely and safely administer a variety of human medications off-label. Omeprazole is most frequently used by vets to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers in dogs.