I have a script for 40 mg Prolisec. It only comes in capsule form.

I had been taking the 20 mg OTC of it and it completely managed my reflux. But the nurse wanted to give me a script for the 40 mg since it would be cheaper. FYI the 20 mg script version is in capsule form too...

So I filled the script for the 40 mg.. and started taking it as directed. Well, I am getting reflux even with taking it..

The only thing I could think of as to why was that it was a capsule instead of the tablet form like the OTC version.

Talked to the nurse again today.

She agrees that since it comes in capsule form it is most likely not staying in my stomach long enough to get dissolved and absorbed...

so she called in a new script for the 20 mg OTC tablet type...


go to pick it up.. it is $19.99 for 28 pills...

the OTC off the shelf is $23.99 for 42 pills.. EXACT SAME THING...

so it is definitely cheaper for me to just buy it myself... and I KNOW the 20 mg tablet works..

and the walgreens brand which is STILL the same thing is $21.99 for 42 tablets...


Go figure that it would actually be cheaper to buy it off the shelf!

The pharmacist was nice enough to tell me that it was literally the same thing.. and recommended that I just buy the off the shelf one.. nice of her to make sure that I was getting the most for my $.

Just wanted to let you all know in case you need Prilosec and run into the same issue.

That is really interesting, thank you for posting about it. I take the Rx 40mg, but now I'll have to give the OTC a try and see if it gives me more relief.

Did you have the acid reflux before your surgery?

I take Oneprazole, generic prilosec, 20mg capsule, and have no reflux. I wonder if it makes a difference if you had reflux before? I have never had an issue with it, the only day I felt a little burny, was the day after surgery, but they said that happens.

I had zero reflux before...

I take a generic capsule to prevent gallstones. It has a fairly thick plastic capsule. My surgeon recommended taking with warm liquid to soften the plastic and with food such as cottage cheese, pudding etc... to further slow it down so it dissolves. (I was just starting the pureed food stage when this was prescribed so the food consistency recommendations reflect that). I am sure if I ate a slice of cheese with it now that would be fine.

Therefore if you take large capsules of any kind you may want to consider taking with warm water/hot tea and with food preferably with dairy.

Interesting. To be clear, are you saying that the hard tablet is working better for you, that the hard tablet melts faster in the stomach vs the plastic like capsule that you are saying flows through the stomach too fast and is thus not as effective?

I have had gnawing stomach pain ever since surgery, not of the heart burn type. It is like hunger pains...? I have had heartburn and regurgitation before and this is not that... Doctor says that it is all the same. Mine feels like an empty, hungry stomach. Spicy foods don't bother it. In fact eating is the only thing that seems to provide temporary relief.

Doctors solution is to take more acid blocker. I was on 20mg Prilosec 2x day and that didn't work. They switched me to Lansopralol (prevacid I think) 30mg 2x/day and that helps very slightly.

I don't know what is going on but I am not encouraged that doctors are going to find an answer.