Is there much difference between Prilosec and Prevacid?!
Question: Prilosec and Prevacid are both Hydrogen ion pump inhibitors. They are used for exactly the same reason and for the most part are interchangeable. (This was your question wasn't it?)
Prilosec OTC or the Prilosec Rx product seem to be weaker than the effect of taking Prevacid. This will be important if you have severe gastritis. If that is the case, then 2 Prilosec per day will have an equal effect to one Prevacid 30 mg. Moderate gastritis you will not notice any difference. Even at two per day, the cost of the Prilosec OTC $29.00 /42 tabs is much better than the cost of Prevacid 30 mg $177.00/ 30 capsules.
Both meds can cause diarrhea and that seems to be the main side effect but of all my patients, I have have only a few that needed to stop the medication due to this.
Some things you can do to reduce gastritis if any apply:
1 Do not eat chocolates. Theophylline in the chocolate is a potent inducer of stomach acid.
2. Do not smoke. Nicotine is a potent inducer of stomach acid production.
3. Do not drink alcohol. ETOH is a potent inducer of stomach acid production.
4. Avoid caffeine drinks. Caffeine is a potent inducer of stomach acid production.
Answers: Prilosec and Prevacid are both Hydrogen ion pump inhibitors. They are used for exactly the same reason and for the most part are interchangeable. (This was your question wasn't it?)
Prilosec OTC or the Prilosec Rx product seem to be weaker than the effect of taking Prevacid. This will be important if you have severe gastritis. If that is the case, then 2 Prilosec per day will have an equal effect to one Prevacid 30 mg. Moderate gastritis you will not notice any difference. Even at two per day, the cost of the Prilosec OTC $29.00 /42 tabs is much better than the cost of Prevacid 30 mg $177.00/ 30 capsules.
Both meds can cause diarrhea and that seems to be the main side effect but of all my patients, I have have only a few that needed to stop the medication due to this.
Some things you can do to reduce gastritis if any apply:
1 Do not eat chocolates. Theophylline in the chocolate is a potent inducer of stomach acid.
2. Do not smoke. Nicotine is a potent inducer of stomach acid production.
3. Do not drink alcohol. ETOH is a potent inducer of stomach acid production.
4. Avoid caffeine drinks. Caffeine is a potent inducer of stomach acid production.
No, they both will mess up your insides.
Hugs not Drugs.
and by the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Yes I took one and it made me really sick. There is a website that you can find out what people reactions are to different meds but that can be bad because it plays with your head.
How bad is you acid reflux? I take pecid ac complete and I feel better in 10 mins, I swear by it I even had my dad try it and he was impressed on how quickly it worked because at one time he was on all the other stuff too.
Goodluck hope you feel better it is not fun.
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/pril...
This might help answer your question..from what i see it looks like they are interchangeable but you can read on and search more from there if you want!
From a medical point of view, no. There may be cost differences. The side effects are similar: abdominal pain, bloating, headaches