prilosec vs omeprazole | Arthritis Information

My pharmacist talked me into going for the generic Prilosec last time. He said it just came out but was just as good and it was a few bucks cheaper.

I have been on a daily dose with the rest of my meds since day 1 , doctors orders, to keep my stomach from being bothered by the RA drugs.

Now all of a sudden I find myself waking in the wee hours with a burning in the top of my stomach.

Has anyone else taken the generic and found it not to be effective?

I've heard that certain types of generics aren't as effective, and it seems like it has something to with the 'time-release' part vs. the brand. I haven't it about this med specifically yet, maybe because the generic is new, but People's Pharmacy has talked it in other meds.

When my daughter was on Prevacid, the pharm said it turns off a different set of pumps everyday, so that is why you took it daily instead of as needed. There are three kinds of pumps (the explanation made sense at the time, but it was awhile ago!). Anyway, it sounds kind of complicated and maybe the generic just doesn't time it out as well?

Sorry you are losing sleep! I'd ask the pharm about it again and tell him what is happening. Good luck! OMG, wanttobe, you just made me realize it! As soon as I read the subject of the thread, I said to myself, so that's why I've been getting so much reflux. I switched from Protonix to Omeprazole a couple of months ago and been getting significantly more reflux (including at 2:30 am today Proton pump inhibitors are getting some bad press lately. I have to wonder why we would interfer with our bodies natural gastric juices. I mean, aren't they there for a reason? I have gone to prn dosing with mine and it works great. I have to take one about every ten days and Nexium was about 122.00 a month so I"m saving money. I have taken advice from others on here and gone to trying something else before I go for the Nexium and 9 times out of 10, a tums or a glass of cold water really helps and I don't end up taking the Nexium. I know this does not work for some and really, you have to weigh risks versus benefits because you really don't want esophogeal cancer or a bleeding ulcer. People on Prednisone really need this drug and I would be hesitant to go off it if I was taking Pred. As far as generics, the one experience I have had is patients coming in and wanting to take their own as we only give Protonix where I work and people say it does not work like their brand but it is a cost and drug contract issue.

Suzanne. Nexium was the only one that would work for me and it took an act of congress for my insurance to pay for it.I agree, these drugs are not merely antacids - they dramatically raise the pH of your stomach contents, which can affect nutrient absorption and the natural antimicrobial properties of normal stomach secretions.

The H2 antagonists (Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid) have similar effects (though the mechanism differs) and also cause a dramatic increase in the pH of stomach contents - especially when taken in multiple doses every day. These drugs work much quicker and also wear off quicker than the PPI's so they are ideal for occasional acid indigestion. Also, if your main problem is nighttime reflux, you might consider just using an H2 antagonist before bed. Stomach pH will rebound and approach normal levels during the day.

These drugs are powerful, and they can literally be lifesavers. They shouldn't be used casually (but then again that goes for any drug!).
I'm just about out of the generic and I am going back to Prilosec. It really wasn't that big of a savings anyway! [QUOTE=wanttobeRAfree]I'm just about out of the generic and I am going back to Prilosec. It really wasn't that big of a savings anyway![/QUOTE]

If you notice a difference between generic and name brand, you might shop around and try different generics. There are several generics manufacturers, so perhaps another manufacturer's tablets would work better for you.
[QUOTE=lorster]I have taken advice from others on here and gone to trying something else before I go for the Nexium and 9 times out of 10, a tums or a glass of cold water really helps and I don't end up taking the Nexium.[/QUOTE]

Even with my PPI, a glass of water and Tums somestimes still doesn't help! And besides all the digestive and esophageal issues, my big problem is that my reflux bouts severely affect my sleep, which of course in turn affects our bodies ability to heal and deal with RA and fibro and such.

[QUOTE=lorster]As far as generics, the one experience I have had is patients coming in and wanting to take their own as we only give Protonix where I work and people say it does not work like their brand but it is a cost and drug contract issue. [/QUOTE]

Is Protonix not considered as effective as the other PPI's? When my doc prescribed it for me (a couple of years ago already, but after the advent of the "purple pills"), I understood that she did that because it was an older, more established drug, and also less costly. But if the others are potentially more effective, I would consider trying one to eliminate the breakthrough reflux I still get.

Is Aciphex related to these? I'm so confused! [QUOTE=KatieG]Is Aciphex related to these? I'm so confused![/QUOTE]

yep - Acihpex is a proton pump inhibitor like Prilosec, Prevacid, etc.
Innerglow, I could be wrong but I think the purple pill came first. I recall protonix coming after these. At least we started using it exclusively a couple of years ago. I also think that these meds work very individually and what works for one, may not work for another. You have to find the one that works best for you. Also, if you are on pred, don't attempt to go off any PPI. Ask your doctor for some samples of each one and try them out and decide which one is most effective.

KatieG, PPI's include aciphex, nexium, prilosec, protonix, prevacid.

Jasmine. I wish I could take the other inhibitors but they all give me such bad headaches. Walgreen's has Prilosec 42 tablets for .99- I'm on my way!I read an article recently and most Dr's said they wouldn't take anything but Zantac 150 or Pepcid 20. Myself, I take Nexium. but sometimes there just isnt anything as good as a good swig of the liquid Maalox. [QUOTE=RANana]I read an article recently and most Dr's said they wouldn't take anything but Zantac 150 or Pepcid 20. Myself, I take Nexium. but sometimes there just isnt anything as good as a good swig of the liquid Maalox. [/QUOTE]

Most doctors don't have RA either

I too got so much more reflux and burning so talked to him and he made a note of this on my file. Thankfully I had an old part bottle of Losec tabs to get me through that month so didn't have to part out for yet another script.

[QUOTE=JasmineRain] Most doctors don't have RA either[/QUOTE]

I'm fairly sure my PCP has RA or something similar. My rheumy recommended her and I believe she is one of his patients (plus she's been on biologics, has the metal finger rings, etc). I need to make an appt anyway, and I'll see what she says about the PPI's.

lorster, you're probably right about the order. I have a vague memory of why she prescribed Protonix in particular, but as long as it was working, I wasn't too concerned.