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Tagamet vs. Prevacid

Are Tagamet and Prevacid the Same Thing?

Tagamet (cimetidine) and Prevacid (lansoprazole) are used to treat and prevent certain types of ulcer, to treat conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid, and to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Prevacid is also used to treat erosive esophagitis and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Tagamet and Prevacid belong to different drug classes. Tagamet is a histamine receptor antagonist and Prevacid is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

Both Tagamet and Prevacid are available over-the-counter (OTC) and as generics.

Side effects of Tagamet and Prevacid that are similar include dizziness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.

Side effects of Tagamet that are different from Prevacid include drowsiness, depression, agitation, breast swelling or tenderness (in men), joint or muscle pain, skin rash,

Side effects of Prevacid that are different from Tagamet include stomach pain, fast or irregular heart rate, watery or bloody diarrhea, muscle cramps or weakness, jerky muscle movements, confusion, or feeling jittery.

Both Tagamet and Prevacid may interact with ketoconazole or blood thinners.

Tagamet may also interact with antacids, or antidepressants.

Prevacid may also interact with sucralfate, ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, methotrexate, theophylline, or diuretics (water pills).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Tagamet?

Common side effects of Tagamet include:

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Tagamet Injection including:

  • decreased sweating,
  • fast/irregular heartbeat,
  • mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations, agitation, nervousness, unusual excitement),
  • difficulty urinating, or
  • decreased sexual ability.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Prevacid?

Common side effects of Prevacid include:

  • dizziness,
  • fast or irregular heart rate,
  • watery or bloody diarrhea,
  • muscle cramps or weakness,
  • jerky muscle movements,
  • confusion,
  • feeling jittery, or
  • seizures.

What Is Tagamet?

Tagamet (cimetidine) is a histamine receptor antagonist used to treat and prevent certain types of ulcer, and to treat conditions that cause the stomach to produce too much acid. Tagamet is also used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and causes heartburn.

What Is Prevacid?

Prevacid (lansoprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used to treat and prevent stomach and intestinal ulcers, erosive esophagitis (damage to the esophagus from stomach acid), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

What Drugs Interact With Tagamet?

Tagamet may interact with amantadine, quinidine, antihistamines, decongestants, appetite suppressants, phenothiazines, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. During pregnancy, Tagamet should be used only when prescribed. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Prevacid?

Prevacid may interact with sucralfate, ampicillin, atazanavir, digoxin, iron, ketoconazole, methotrexate, theophylline, blood thinners, or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Prevacid. Prevacid is not expected to be harmful to a fetus. It is unknown if Prevacid passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.

How Should Tagamet Be Taken?

Dose of Tagamet depends on the condition being treated and the patient's response to the medication.

How Should Prevacid Be Taken?

The dose of Prevacid depends on the condition being treated. Lansoprazole capsules should be taken before meals for maximum effect. Capsules should be swallowed whole and should not be crushed, split or chewed.

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