Expert: Michael Anisfeld - 3/27/2005

Question
When my medical clinic changed my priscription from "prilosec" to "nexium", It was my understanding that "nexium" was basically just the next generation of the same medication. A new and improved version so to speak. But now they have changed me to "protonix". How does that compare to "nexium"? I don't have records, but if memory serves, I was taking 20mg of "nexium" per day, and now I am taking 40mg of "protonix".

Answer
Donald:

Nexium is Astra-Zeneca's confidence trick on the US public. Nexium is the optical isomer of Prilosec and works in an identical way (despite what AZ's advertising states). Anything to get around the end of Prilosec's patent life, and the drug going generic!

I have no information regarding Protonix - speak to your doctor and pharmacist.

Mike