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Zegerid vs. Prilosec

Are Zegerid and Prilosec the Same Thing?

Zegerid (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) and Prilosec (omeprazole) are used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production.

Both Zegerid and Prilosec contain a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI). Zegerid also contains an antacid.

Prilosec is available over-the-counter (OTC) and as a generic.

Side effects of Zegerid and Prilosec that are similar include headache, stomach or abdominal pain, nausea, gas, and diarrhea.

Side effects of Prilosec that are different from Zegerid include vomiting, constipation, fever, and cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat).

Both Zegerid and Prilosec may interact with clopidogrel, methotrexate, St. John's wort, and antibiotics.

Zegerid may also interact with bosentan, citalopram, cyclosporine, diazepam or similar sedatives, digoxin, digitalis, disulfiram, antabuse, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, tacrolimus, antifungals, blood thinners, calcium supplements or iron supplements (including ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfonate), diuretics (water pills), HIV medicines, and seizure medications.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Zegerid?

Common side effects of Zegerid include:

    Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Zegerid including:

    • swelling of the hands or feet,
    • symptoms of a low magnesium blood level (such as unusually fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, persistent muscle spasms, seizures), or
    • sudden weight gain.

    What Are Possible Side Effects of Prilosec?

    Common side effects of Prilosec include:

    • headache,
    • nausea,
    • vomiting,
    • diarrhea,
    • stomach pain,
    • gas,
    • constipation,
    • fever, or
    • cold symptoms (stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat).

    What is Zegerid?

    Zegerid (omeprazole/sodium bicarbonate) is a combination of a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) and an antacid used to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid production. Zegerid may be available in generic form.

    What is Prilosec?

    Prilosec (omeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which are all caused by stomach acid.

     

    What Drugs Interact With Zegerid?

    Zegerid may interact with bosentan, citalopram, clopidogrel, cyclosporine, diazepam or similar sedatives, digoxin, digitalis, disulfiram, Antabuse, methotrexate, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, St. John's wort, tacrolimus, antibiotics, antifungals, blood thinners, calcium supplements or iron supplements (including ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulfonate), diuretics (water pills), HIV medicines, or seizure medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Zegerid; it is unknown if Zegerid will harm a fetus. Zegerid can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Zegerid is not recommended.

    What Drugs Interact With Prilosec?

    Prilosec may interact with digoxin, diuretics (water pills), blood thinners, antifungal medications such as ketoconazole, antibiotics such as ampicillin, iron, or methotrexate, and HIV or AIDS medications such as atazanavir and nelfinavir.

    Prilosec may also interact with bosentan, cilostazol, clopidogrel, cyclosporine, diazepam, disulfiram, St. John's wort, tacrolimus, or seizure medications.

     

    How Should Zegerid Be Taken?

    Dose and duration of treatment with Zegerid depends on the condition being treated. For ulcers, GERD, erosive esophagitis and eradication of H. pylori the usual recommended dose for adults is 20-40 mg daily. Follow instructions from your doctor.

    How Should Prilosec Be Taken?

    The recommended adult oral dose of Prilosec ranges from 20 mg to 60 mg once daily, depending on the condition being treated. For maximal efficacy, Prilosec tablets should be taken before meals, swallowed whole and should not be crushed, chewed or opened.