Abametapir and Omeprazole: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 2, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Abametapir
No brand names on recordOmeprazole
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
Abametapir is a lotion used to treat head lice. Even though you rub it on your scalp, a little gets into your body and can briefly block a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. That same enzyme helps break down many medicines, including omeprazole (Prilosec), which you take for stomach acid.
With the enzyme slowed down, more omeprazole can build up in your body for a couple of weeks after the lice treatment. This isn't a dangerous combination on its own, but it could make omeprazole's effects and side effects stronger than usual. The good news: this is easy to plan around, and your pharmacist or doctor can help you time things safely.
Mechanism: Abametapir inhibits CYP3A4. Omeprazole is a CYP3A4 (and CYP2C19) substrate, so co-exposure is predicted to increase omeprazole systemic exposure (AUC/Cmax) with a rapid onset following topical application.
- Direction: increased omeprazole effect (neither drug is a prodrug here relevant to this pair; omeprazole is active as given).
- Magnitude: not quantified; evidence is theoretical.
- Severity on file: major.
- Management: Avoid CYP3A4 substrates for 2 weeks after abametapir application; if unavoidable, avoid abametapir. Monitor for exaggerated omeprazole effects if co-used.
What happens
Increased exposure of CYP3A4 substrate
Interaction Deep Dive
Refrain from administering CYP3A4 substrates during the 2-week period following abametapir application. Should avoiding these substrates not be possible, then abametapir itself should not be used 1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism by abametapir
How to manage this interaction
Keep taking your omeprazole as prescribed and do not change anything on your own. The concern is a short-term one: abametapir can raise omeprazole levels for about 2 weeks after you apply it.
- Tell your pharmacist or prescriber about your omeprazole before using abametapir for lice.
- Your care team may space the treatments apart, hold one temporarily, or choose a different lice treatment so the two do not overlap.
- If both are used together, your team may watch you more closely for stronger omeprazole effects.
A quick check with your pharmacist is the easiest way to plan this safely.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Common questions
Can I take Abametapir and Omeprazole together?
Abametapir can raise omeprazole levels for about two weeks after use, so let your pharmacist or doctor coordinate the timing before you use the lice treatment. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Abametapir and Omeprazole interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How is the Abametapir and Omeprazole interaction managed?
Keep taking your omeprazole as prescribed and do not change anything on your own. The concern is a short-term one: abametapir can raise omeprazole levels for about 2 weeks after you apply it. Tell your pharmacist or prescriber about your omeprazole before using abametapir for lice. Your care team may space the treatments apart, hold one temporarily, or choose a different lice treatment so the two… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Abametapir or Omeprazole need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: XEGLYZE(TM) topical lotion, abametapir topical lotion. Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Inc (per FDA), Princeton, NJ, 2020. DailyMed
Keep reading about Abametapir
Keep reading about Omeprazole
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Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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