AboutEric Brandt Expertise I am a practicing pharmacist.On my drug information website, I have answered hundreds of questions to date. The articles posted on my site include Parkinson`s disease. depression, menopause, diabetes, sleep and aging, congestive heart failure, calcium channel blockers, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, ADHD, multiple sclerosis an more.
Experience I have experience in retail as well as hospital pharmacy pracice. Currently working in a hospital pharmacy. I am experienced in drug information. Over the last 6 years I have developed a successful web site for drug information.
The addressfor my drug information website is http://www.druginformation.bc.caThere you can read articles on varios areas of health interest. You can also leave me questions which I will personally answer. I also have a free health information newsletter called The Caplet. To subscribe send e-mail to
thecaplet-subscribe@topica.com
Question I have been taking prilosec for years now for acid reflux. I am wondering if any of the other drugs for acid reduction on the market which are cheaper may work the same way to reduce my acid reflux problems, such as pepcid, zantac, etc. I am looking for something cheaper. If not, what is the difference between nexium and prilosec. Last, do we know when we may see other drugs on the market which are the same as prilosec? Isn't it that, after a certain number of years, newly patented medicines can be distributed by other drug companies? Thank you for your time.
Answer Hi Carolyn,
Omeprazole is available in generic format here in Canada. It is marketed by Apotex as omeprazole 20 mg capsules.
Omeprazole belongs to a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors. Thiks class of drugs is much more potent than the H2 antagonists which include Zantac and Pepcid. You may try those drugs but if your condition is severe enough the relief will not be satisfacory. Nexium is a relative of omeprazole and is therapeuticslly equivalent.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm
