What is the difference between tagamet and prilosec

The PPI labels caution patients to stop use and speak to a physician in the following cases: 1 heartburn continues or worsens; 2 the patient needs to take the product for more than 14 days; or 3 the patient needs to take more than one course of treatment every 4 months.

The directions for all four PPIs are almost identical. Patients are instructed to take the PPI only once daily, every 24 hours for 14 days, and they are advised that it may take 1 to 4 days for full effect, although some people experience complete symptom relief within 24 hours. They are not to use it for more than 14 days unless directed by their physician. They should swallow it whole, without chewing or crushing, and the label of Zegerid OTC also advises patients not to open the capsule to sprinkle it on food.

A final set of instructions on all four PPI product labels is critical for preventing overuse in case the patient has a serious condition such as an ulcer. Patients are advised that, if needed, they may repeat the day course of treatment every 4 months i. Heartburn is a common condition in which the food or drink you eat cannot stay in your stomach for digestion.

Instead, it moves backward up into your esophagus a process known as reflux , where the acids and enzymes cause burning and produce the troubling discomfort in your chest. The main problem lies in a small muscle between your esophagus and stomach that is supposed to shut down tightly after you eat or drink, so that your food and drink will remain in your stomach.

When this muscle does not work properly, the damaging materials move upward into your esophagus. You can reduce the possibility of heartburn by making some lifestyle changes.

Wear clothing that is loose around the waist to reduce pressure on the stomach. Eat smaller meals, and eat more slowly. Since reflux is common at night, make your last meal small and be sure to finish eating as long as 5 to 6 hours before bedtime. Heartburn also occurs more frequently in those who are overweight or pregnant. Fatty foods worsen reflux, so you should avoid them as much as possible.

The long list of high-fat foods includes chocolate, bacon, potato chips, margarine, butter, and fried foods. You may find that other foods cause problems, such as orange juice, pizza, or tomato-based sauces.

When you have identified such an irritant, avoid it in the future. Nicotine and alcohol both worsen reflux, so you should avoid cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and all forms of alcohol. When you first recognize possible reflux, your pharmacy is a good place to go for advice on when to see a physician.

Your pharmacist will need to know your age, your status regarding pregnancy or breastfeeding, and a list of all of your symptoms. There are many dangerous symptoms that will require a physician visit to ensure that you do not have a serious condition such as an ulcer or stomach cancer.

If the pharmacist believes your problem to be nothing more than reflux, he or she may recommend nonprescription products. Whichever you choose, be sure to read every set of warnings, precautions, and instructions on the label. Failure to understand and follow all of these guidelines can have drastic consequences. Some heartburn products are simple antacids, such as Tums and Alka-Seltzer.

They are usually inexpensive and act rapidly, although they do not reduce the amount of acid produced. Other OTC products are effective at reducing the amount of stomach acid produced, although they may not give relief as quickly and tend to cost more. These stronger products fall into two groups. They can be used by those age 12 years or older. Patients received 30 mg of omeprazole or 1 g of cimetidine daily for six weeks and underwent clinical assessment, endoscopy with biopsy, and repeat lab evaluations after two, four, and six weeks of treatment.

Healing rates were equal at two weeks, but by four weeks the rate was 19 percent higher with omeprazole than with cimetidine. At six weeks, cimetidine's healing rate was almost equal to that of omeprazole. When ulcer size was considered, overall healing time was significantly shorter with omeprazole. The authors speculate that their results might have been more pronounced had they used a higher dose of omeprazole.

Sign up for Famotidine price alerts and find out when the price changes! Get Price Alerts. Over-the-counter OTC versions of famotidine and omeprazole can be used for the relief of occasional or frequent heartburn. Acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid gets backed up into the esophagus, is a common cause of heartburn. The bacteria that cause this infection attacks the stomach lining, which can result in peptic ulcers.

Treatment includes omeprazole combined with an antibiotic like amoxicillin or clarithromycin. Both famotidine and omeprazole can be effective drugs for treating GERD and other digestive conditions. However, the general consensus is that omeprazole is a more potent drug than famotidine. Randomized, clinical trials have shown that PPIs are more effective in treating duodenal ulcers than H2 blockers.

PPIs were found to significantly increase ulcer healing compared to H2 blockers. No significant differences were found between the PPIs that were studied, which included Prevacid lansoprazole , Protonix pantoprazole , and Aciphex rabeprazole.

In people who take blood thinners, such as clopidogrel and aspirin, a PPI or H2 blocker can be used to prevent ulcers. One systematic review found that PPIs were superior to H2 blockers in preventing gastric ulcers. The studies in the review mostly compared Prilosec omeprazole or Nexium esomeprazole with Pepcid famotidine or Zantac ranitidine. The more effective drug is ultimately the one that works best for your condition.

Sign up for Omeprazole price alerts and find out when the price changes! Most Medicare Part D plans and other insurance plans will cover generic famotidine tablets. Try the SingleCare prescription coupon card. Omeprazole delayed-release capsules are covered by most Medicare and insurance plans.

For generic omeprazole capsules, you can use a SingleCare coupon card to lower this cost. The most common side effects of famotidine and omeprazole are headache, dizziness, constipation, and diarrhea.

Other gastrointestinal side effects are common and include stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting. Omeprazole can also cause flatulence or gas. Serious side effects include allergic reactions to any of the ingredients in these medications. Allergic reactions can include rash or trouble breathing. Seek medical attention if you experience serious adverse effects. This may not be a complete list.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist for possible side effects. Source: DailyMed famotidine , DailyMed omeprazole. Famotidine primarily interacts with drugs that depend on stomach acid for absorption. These drugs include antiretrovirals, such as atazanavir and rilpivirine, and antifungals, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole.

Taking famotidine can decrease the absorption of these drugs and decrease their overall effectiveness. Ketoconazole coupons What is Ketoconazole? Itraconazole coupons What is Itraconazole? Famotidine can also interact with tizanidine, a muscle relaxer that is processed by the CYP1A2 enzyme in the liver. Famotidine can increase levels of tizanidine in the body which can lead to low blood pressure hypotension , slow heartbeat bradycardia , or extreme drowsiness. Omeprazole also interacts with some antiretroviral medications, which can lead to a decrease in their effectiveness.

These drugs may include tacrolimus and rifampin, among other drugs.