Is there a difference between Nexxium and Prilosec? Are they both Omeprazole with a pretty package? Just wondering.

Thanks!

HDub

Prilosec is Omeprazole in a pretty package. Check the Active Ingredients on the various products to compare them, but I'm pretty sure Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexxium are all different but do the same thing. Some work for some people while others work better for other people. I've also heard that sometimes whichever one you're taking might stop working and you might have to switch to another one for a while. I just started Omeprazole yesterday and I think it's already working. Yay!

They are a little different but do the same thing, they are both PPI. As the other person said, sometimes one will work great for a person and not another, you have to find one that works well for you. Especially early out, the acid can be much worse and hard to control, so you may have to ask about taking 2 a day and preferably on an empty tummy then wait an hr to eat. Be careful what you are eating and drinking, cuz acidic food/drink will make it worse.

I got this info from the website http://www.medicinen...ole/article.htm

Omeprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) that block the production of acid by the stomach. Other drugs in the class include lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). Proton pump inhibitors are used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which are all caused by stomach acid. Omeprazole, like other proton-pump inhibitors, blocks the enzyme in the wall of the stomach that produces acid. By blocking the enzyme, the production of acid is decreased, and this allows the stomach and esophagus to heal. Zegerid contains omeprazole and an antacid (sodium bicarbonate). The FDA approved omeprazole in September 1989.

Is there a difference between Nexxium and Prilosec? Are they both Omeprazole with a pretty package? Just wondering.

Thanks!

HDub

I am a nurse in a family practice office, and all of our providers use them interchangably. Biggest factor is the price as they can be expensive, but Omeprazole can be obtained over the counter and the others can not. The OTC version is only 20 mg and the Rx one is 40 mg- you may just need 2, which may be cost prohibitive. Right now the Dexilant and the Aciphex are the only ones being sampled to your dr's office for free from the pharm reps, but don't be shy about asking for them. Also, I will mention here that I do alot of prior auth's as a part of my job- I may be able to help in that area if anyone has questions for an "insider"

Oooh thanks y'all! I am taking Nexxium 20 mg once a day and I only seem to have breakthrough problems when I eat something acidic. Tomato sauce does this to me a lot. My mom said I could cut the acid with a little sugar in the sauce but I haven't tried it yet. Lemonade made me feel like I was on fire, but of course that is acid to the max. If I have a breakthrough I take Gaviscon but it is weird foaming in my mouth before I swallow it.

This is good information to have if my Nexxium stops working.

Nexium was created as Prilosec was going off patent by slightly tweaking the molecule to make it different enough to patent (so it could be sold exclusively at elevated prices). It works in the same way as Prilosec and with rare exceptions, works as well as Prilosec/Omeprazole (except that it is the pretty purple pill...) If the cheaper, OTC Omeprazole works for you, Nexium provides no additional benefit.