AboutDr Alan Galbraith Expertise I can answer most questions on drugs, both medical and "recreational". Answers can be given in either technical or layperson terminology. My main areas of interest are psychiatric, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular drugs.
Experience I have been a university lecturer/head of department for almost thirty years, but am now retired. My research interests were alcohol, smoking and cardiovascular disease.
Organizations Institute of Biology, London.
Publications Author of "Fundamentals of Pharmacology" 5th Edition published in November 2007 by Pearson Education, Australia.
Question In general, what makes the difference in whether Nexium (exomeprazole magnesium) or Zantac (ranitidine) is prescribed? Or, are there some conditions for which Nexium is best and some for which Ranitidine is best?
Both seem to work by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. And both are used to treat ulcers and conditions in which acid comes up into the esophagus. Based on this, the only difference I can see is that Nexium is time released, while Ranitidine is not. Are there other differences?
I will greatly appreciate any information.
Answer Dear Jann
There is a major duifference and that is effectiveness. Esomprazole (Nexium) belongs to a group of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors while ranitidine is an antihistamine (but unlike antihistamines used for allergies/itch/runny nose/sedation etc. I'll try to explain simply. Histamine is produced in the stomach and when it is, it stimulates acid production hence blocking this action with ranitidine slows down acid production but does not stop it as there are other mechanisms involved in acid production. In many cases this is enough to help heal ulcers and oespohagitis ie GERD/GORD.
Esomprazole works by blocking acid production directly and not on any control mechanism and furthermore this action is prolonged due to the mechanism whereby this action is achieved. Thus even though the acid control mechanisms are working acid cannot be produced because the esomprazole is preventing it.
I hope this makes sense as I've tried not to be technical.
