There can be many reasons for someone to use over-the-counter PPIs (Proton pump inhibitors). And one of them can be regular heartburn. Like many others, you may also think that the PPIs including Prilosec OTC or the new variant, Nexium would be some of the best prescription medicines for heartburn. But which one to select? What makes Nexium better than Prilosec? Let’s have a look. Nexium vs Prilosec and find which one is better than the other, you just need to understand each one of them to have a better understanding.
What is Nexium?
Esomeprazole magnesium – commonly known as Nexium is a proton pump inhibitor. These inhibitors work to block stomach acid production. They also are used to treat duodenal and stomach ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
What is Prilosec?
Omeprazole – known commonly as Prilosec is also a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that is used to treat GERD, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and gastroesophageal ulcers. These diseases are usually produced in the stomach due to acid production.
More or less Nexium and Prilosec both perform to provide relief against heartburn and prevent acid production in the stomach. But if you are taking any other medication due to some other health complications, it is a must to know if these PPIs interact with any medicine.
Drugs that easily react with Nexium
If you are pregnant and already on medication and for this, you are suffering heartburn issues, you must consult your doctor before using Nexium to treat your suffering. The following is a list of drugs that Nexium interacts with easily;
- Invirase (saquinavir)
- Nizoral (ketoconazole)
- Plavix (clopidogrel)
- Reyataz (atazanavir)
- Viracept (nelfinavir)
- Pletal (cilostazol)
- Valium (diazepam)
- Lanoxin (digoxin)
Drugs that easily react with Prilosec:
The PPI Prilosec interacts with blood thinners, diuretics (water-based pills), antifungal medications like ketoconazole, HIV or AIDS medication like nelfinavir, and atazanavir, and antibiotics such as iron, ampicillin, or methotrexate. In addition, Prilosec can interact with;
- cilostazol,
- clopidogrel
- bosentan
- disulfiram
- Tacrolimus
- St. John’s wort
- Diazepam
- cyclosporine
- Seizure medications.
Are Nexium and Prilosec work on the same thing?
Nexium and Prilosec act as Proton pump inhibitors that work to minimize the acid production in the stomach. They are also used to treat ulcers present in the duodenal and stomach. They are useful in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Both Nexium and Prilosec are over-the-counter prescription medicine and are available generically to treat heartburn. However, there are positive effects of Nexium and Prilosec that people are fond of. But there are probable side effects of Nexium and Prilosec that you should know about.
Possible side effects of Nexium
Nexium side effects to look for;
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Rash
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Constipation
Possible side effects of Prilosec
Side effects of Prilosec include;
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fever
- Constipation
- Cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sore throat, sneezing)
- Gas
How should you take Nexium or Prilosec?
It depends on your condition that determines the frequency of Nexium that should be taken. Your medical health professional will examine and treat you with the best dosage. As for Prilosec, the dosage or oral intake of Prilosec lies between 20 and 60 mg tablets once a day. And then again this also depends on your condition that needs treatment.
For the usual dosage of Nexium and Prilosec, a doctor’s consultation is required as it may vary depending on the age and the immunity of the subject. As said, during pregnancy it is always recommended to have your doctor’s opinion before taking any other medication that is not in your daily prescription.
For a quick result, these heartburn tablets should be taken before meals without water. Plus, they should not be chewed or crushed before taking.
What other PPIs are there to consider?
Mostly, healthcare professionals recommend medication analyzing the cause and source of the problem. Similarly, after defining the source of your suffering or reflux, your doctor will likely prescribe medication that blocks blood acid production in the stomach.
They make sure that these medicines provide long-term effects and give extreme relief. The drugs that are used for controlling acid reflux in your body are called PPIs. These PPIs are usually taken before meals. They include;
- Omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid)
- Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
- Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)
- Esomeprazole (Nexium)
- Rabeprazole (Aciphex)
- Pantoprazole (Protonix)
However, doctors do not believe that using one medication for a longer period of time can treat the issue. But these medications are effective in controlling esophageal inflammation and acid production in the esophagus.
