Both prescription Prilosec and Prilosec OTC contain the same active ingredient, omeprazole, which effectively stops acid production. Prescription Prilosec treats diseases that require diagnosis and supervision by a doctor. Prilosec OTC treats only symptoms of frequent heartburn.

Long-term Prilosec use has been linked to kidney damage, bone fractures and other dangerous side effects. Unlike prescription Prilosec, Prilosec OTC is safe to treat frequent heartburn.

Prilosec is equally effective. Most omeprazole products are available as lower-cost generics. Though some research has questioned whether generic omeprazole is as effective as brand-name omeprazole (Prilosec), generic medications are considered just as effective as their brand-name counterparts.

Try Prilosec OTC, the #1 Doctor Recommended Treatment for frequent heartburn for over 15 Years! With just 1 pill a day, you can experience a full 24 hours of ZERO heartburn. + Prilosec OTC works by preventing excess acid production which causes heartburn, BLOCKING heartburn at the source.

While one study did find that Nexium offered faster heartburn relief than Prilosec after one week of use, at the second week, both treatment groups were reported to have similar symptom relief. While both medications generally offer the same level of relief, it may just come down to personal preference and cost.

Effectiveness. When comparing Nexium to Prilosec, clinical trials found that Nexium tended to outperform Prilosec and other PPIs. Nexium was able to offer the best acid control as well as faster symptom relief. Even so, both medicines are effective and one may work better for another based on individual health factors.

Dear C.D.C.: The patient instructions in the over-the-counter versions of proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec), do recommend a 14-day course. However, longer courses may indeed be prescribed by a licensed prescriber, such as a PA. Even so, there are relatively few people who need lifelong medication.

Once you feel better (often after a few days or weeks), you can stop taking it. But taking omeprazole for a short time to treat symptoms is not suitable for everyone. Talk to your doctor about what's best for you.

While one study did find that Nexium offered faster heartburn relief than Prilosec after one week of use, at the second week, both treatment groups were reported to have similar symptom relief. While both medications generally offer the same level of relief, it may just come down to personal preference and cost.

Effectiveness. When comparing Nexium to Prilosec, clinical trials found that Nexium tended to outperform Prilosec and other PPIs. Nexium was able to offer the best acid control as well as faster symptom relief. Even so, both medicines are effective and one may work better for another based on individual health factors.

There is some evidence that Nexium provides more effective acid control, lasts for longer, and works faster than Prilosec; however, some studies have failed to find a difference between the two medicines and the American College of Gastroenterology states that there are no major differences between PPIs when used to ...

Both classes are used to treat and prevent recurrence of stomach and duodenal ulcers. Pepcid is mainly useful in relieving mild, infrequent heartburn (less than 2 episodes per week) while Nexium/Prilosec is useful in managing frequent heartburn that occurs 2 or more days a week.