Category: Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton Pump Inhibitor drugs (PPIs): Drug Safety Communication – Low Magnesium Levels Can Be Associated With Long-Term Use
Prescription PPIs include:
- Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium)
- Dexilant (dexlansoprazole)
- Prilosec (omeprazole)
- Zegerid (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)
- Prevacid (lansoprazole)
- Protonix (pantoprazole sodium)
- AcipHex (rabeprazole sodium)
- Vimovo (a prescription combination drug product that contains a PPI (esomeprazole magnesium and naproxen)
Lansoprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – lan-SOE-pra-zole
Prevacid – brand name
Lansoprazole is the active ingredient in Prevacid®24HR.
Prevacid 24HR was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 18, 2009 as an over-the-counter (OTC) treatment of frequent heartburn. Prevacid 24HR is the first and only over-the-counter (OTC) Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) in its original formulation.
Prevacid 24HR heartburn medication is now available over-the-counter that you can buy at your local store (including Costco, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Target, Kroger and others) to treat frequent heartburn. Frequent heartburn is heartburn that occurs 2 (two) or more days per week. If you are currently prescribed to a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) by your doctor to treat frequent heartburn, talk to him or her to see if Prevacid 24HR over-the-counter heartburn medication may be right for you.
Omeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – o-MEP-ra-zole
Prilosec – brand name
Prilosc OTC blocks heartburn for 24 hours with one pill a day.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the 20 mg (milligram) dosage of Prilosec as an over-the-counter medication. A milligram is one thousandth (1/1,000) of a gram.
Ask your doctor before you use Prilosec OTC if you have:
- Had hearburn over 3 months. This may be a sign of a more serious condition.
- Heartburn with lightheadedness, sweating or dizziness.
- Chest pain or shoulder pain with shortness of breath; sweating; pain spreading to arms, neck or shoulders; or lightheadedness.
- Frequent chest pain.
- Frequent wheezing, particularly with heartburn.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Stomach pain.
Omeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – o-MEP-ra-zole
Prilosec – brand name
Prilosec OTC (over the counter) works differently from other OTC heartburn products, such as antacids and other acid reducers.
Prilosec OTC stops acid production at the source, the acid pump that produces stomach acid. Prilosec OTC is to be used once a day (every 24 hours), every day for 14 days.
Omeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – o-MEP-ra-zole
Prilosec – brand name
Omeprazole magnesium delayed release tablet 20.6mg (equivalent to 20mg omeprazole) acid reducer. 14 day course of treatment:
- Swallow 1 table with a glass of water before eating in the morning.
- Take every day for 14 days.
- Do not take more than 1 table a day.
- Do not chew or crush the tablets.
- Do not crush tablets in food.
- Do not use for more than 14 days unless directed by your doctor.
Omeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – o-MEP-ra-zole
Prilosec – brand name
Prilosec OTC is for adults 18 years and older with frequent heartburn, when you have heartburn 2 or more days a week. For children under 18 years of age ask a doctor.
Prilosec OTC is meant for frequent heartburn, not serious gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). See your doctor for GERD. Also, Prilosec OTC is not for people who have heartburn less than one episode a week (or less), or for those who want immediate relief of heartburn.
Do not take for more than 14 days or more often than every 4 months unless directed by a doctor.
Esomeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – ess-oh-MEP-ra-zole
Nexium – brand name
The Purple Pill
Nexium (esomeprazole) and GERD
Nexium (Esomeprazole) is available with a doctor’s prescription and is commonly called by it’s brand name, Nexium.
Esomeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – ess-oh-MEP-ra-zole
Nexium – brand name
Nexium (esomeprazole) and GERD
The stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCl) when you eat something. On average, the stomach produces 2 liters of hydrochloric acid (HCl) daily. In the stomach, your food is broken down by the stomach acids in preparation for digestion. When we eat such things as bread, meat, and vegetables, they are not in a form that the body can use as nourishment.
Esomeprazole – chemical name
Pronunciation – ess-oh-MEP-ra-zole
Nexium – brand name
Like any medication, Nexium may cause side effects in some people. Side effects that do occur are usually mild and go away a short time after starting Nexium.