Omeprazole and excessive sweating, if unrecognised, may lead to unnecessary investigations

In an analysis of adverse reactions to omeprazole therapy in short and long term studies in over 2500 subjects, only one case of sweating attacks was mentioned. 3 By June 1998, the UK Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) had received 53 reports of sweating suspected to be due to omeprazole, which represented 0.9% of 6149 reactions reported for this drug occurring in 3784 patients (personal communication, CSM Mersey, 70 Pembroke Place, Liverpool L69 3GF, UK). Learning points omeprazole-associated excessive sweating is uncommon, but as omeprazole is one of the most widely prescribed drugs, it is important to bear in mind recognising this would help to prevent unnecessary alarm, unpleasant investigations and, at times, inappropriate specialist referral As omeprazole-associated hyperhydrosis may cause alarm, and lead to unnecessary and unpleasant investigations, it is important to emphasise this to all medical practitioners.